UC-NRLF 


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V 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

PRESENTED  BY 

PROF.  CHARLES  A.  KOFOID  AND 
MRS.  PRUDENCE  W.  KOFOID 


** 


• 
ILLUSTRATED 

ft  1 


*  '  B    0    T    A  •  N 


CONTAINING 
,  > 

A  FLORAL  DICTIONARY, 


AND    A 


GLOSSARY   OF   SCIENTIFIC    TERMS 


ILLUSTRATED  WITH  NUMKROUS  ENGRAVINGS. 


BY  JOHN  B.  NEWMAN,  M.D., 

AUTHOR   OF  VARIOUS  WOHKS   ON  THE   XATUB^'  SCIENCES. 


NEW    YORK: 
FOWLERS  AND  WELLS,   PUBLISHERS, 

NOS.  129    AND    131     NASSAU    STREET. 
1850. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1SC-0,  by 
FOWLERS  &  WKLLS, 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Southern  District 
of  New  York. 


l. 
L .  U 


PREFACE, 


THAT  the  study  of  nature  tends  to  expand  the  mind, 
and  create  an  increasing  thirst  for  knowledge,  rendering 
it  eager  tor  make  new  acquisitions,  is  a  fact  abundantly 
exemplified  in  the  experience  of  our  own  department. 
Those  who  have  been  led  to  examine  the  animal  king- 
dom, both  in  its  mental  and  physiological  aspects,  become 
anxious  to  explore  the  mysteries  of  the  vegetable,  secure 
of  finding  nature  everywhere  bountiful  in  her  gifts,  and  that 
the  contemplation  of  her  as  she  presents  herself  in  the 
minute  as  well  as  the  vast,  will  but  increase  their  wonder 
and  admiration  ;  and  it  is  for  the  purpose  of  thus  satisfying 
the  desires  of  our  friends  that  the  present  work  is  offered 
to  the  public.  Intended  for  those  who  have  no  previous 
knowledge  of  the  subject,  the  aim  has  been,  not.  only  to 
make  it  simple  enough  to  be  understood  without  other 
instruction,  but  also,  by  means  of  ample  illustration,  in  the 
way  of  facts  and  anecdotes,  to  keep  up  and  gratify  curi- 
osity to  the  end.  The  principles  of  the  science,  together 


J, .  .if.    •  . 

IV  PREFACE. 

with  a  thorough  exposition  of  the  system  of  Linnaeus,  and 
the  outlines  of  that  of  Jussieu  are  given ;  care  being  taken 
that  the  facts,  as  stones,  should  be  well  joined  together  by 
the  cement  of  theory,  so  that  the  whole  should  form  a 
well-proportioned  and  enduring  structure.  Engravings 
were  required  to  assist  the  learner,  and  for  that  object 
there  is  a  profuse  number.  The  ten  chief  medicinal 
plants  of  the  United  States  are  figured,  and,  together 
with  their  botanical  description,  is  added  an  account  of 
their  properties.  Aware  that  a  work  of  this  character 
would  be  peculiarly  acceptable  to  youth,  we  have  endeav- 
ored to  render  it  still  more  inviting  by  the  addition  of  the 
Meadow  Queen's  songs,  with  the  necessary  alterations, 
they  being  unequaled  for  fixing  in  the  young  mind  the 
Linnsean  classes.  And  with  the  hope  that  it  may  be  as 
valuable  to  the  chill  as  to  the  parent,  to  the  pupil  as  the 
teacher,  it  is  submitted  to  the  public. 

S.  R.  WELLS 

CLINTON  HALL,  131  Nassau  street,  New  York. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


The  following  items  in  the  Table  of  Contents  are  written 
in  such  a  manner  that  each  one  can  be  used  interrogatively, 
and  thus  form  a  series  of  questions,  capable  of  application, 
without  farther  trouble,  as  lessons  in  schools. 

I. 

Rule  for  avoiding  poisonous  plants — Travellers  rule,  and  why 
unsafe — Action  of  Arsenic  on  hogs  and  horses — Other 
modes  known  to  botanists — Properties  of  the  Cruciform 
family — Marks  of  that  family— Hard  names — Marks  of  poor 
scholars — Test  of  good  ones-rCorolla — Stamens — Pistils — 
Calyx — Receptacle — Sepals— Nature  of  a  Calyx — Petals — 
Nature  of  the  Corolla — Filament — Anther — Stigma — Style — 
Pollen — Germ — Uses  of  the  Stamens  and  Pistils — Flint's 
comparison  —  Male  Flowers — Female  Fowers — Media — 
Beauty  of  the  Vegetable  Kingdom  contrasted  with  that  o 
the  Animal — Nectary— Its  Use — Wind,  Insects,  and  Man 
disseminating  the  Pollen — Use  of  Calyx — Use  of  Corolla — 
Weather  Prophets — Scarlet  Pimpernel — Anecdote — Four 
o'Clock — Dial  of  Flowers — Mrs.  Hemans. 

II. 

Roses,  Poisons  and  Turnips  growing  together — Food  alone 
does  not  make  a  difference  of  form  and  properties — Soul 
cannot  make  the  heart  beat — Vital  Powers — Causes  surmised 
from  effects — Two  kinds  of  powers  in  Nature — Two  Seeds 
— Builders-Up— Pullers-Down — Account  of  the  Creation  of 
the  vital  powers  of  Plants  in  general— Office  of  the  leaves  of 


VI  TABLE    OP    CONTENTS. 

Plants — Oflice  of  Nitrogen  in  the  Atmosphere — Animals 
resemble  Lamps — Carbonic  Acid — Two  things  required  to 
keep  animals  alive — Fable  of  Saadi — Four  elementary  prin- 
ciples— Curious  mode  of  living  in  butterfly  flowers — Stom- 
achs of  Plants — Purification  of  the  sap  by  the  leaves — Odors 
— Glands — Poisons — Medicines — Life  power  only  can  make 
vital  products — Parisian  chemist?. 

III. 

Meaning  of  Botany — Number  of  species  known — Definition  of 
a  species — Varieties — Genera  how  formed — Marks  of  the 
Rose  genus — What  constitutes  a  genus — Specific  differences 
— Number  of  genera — Higher  modes  of  grouping — First  ten 
classes  of  Linneus  how  known — Derivation  of  the  name  of 
each — Similar  prefixes  used  in  ordinary  language — Remain- 
ing fourteen  classes — Orders  of  the  first  thirteen  classes  how 
formed — Class  and  Order  of  the  Lily — Linnean  System  but 
an  introduction  to  the  Natural — First  Class— Song  of  the 
Monandrian  Tribes — Second  Class — Song  of  the  Diandrian 
Tribes— Third  Class— Food  better  than  riches  illustrated— 
Song  of  the  Triandrian  Tribes. 

IV. 

Flowers  in  the  Class  Tetrandria — Southey's  Lines  on  the 
Holly — Song  of  the  Tetrandrian  Tribes — Number  of  Flow- 
ers in  Pentandria — Rough  leaved  plants — Forget  Me  Not — 
Bindweed  Tribe — Potato  family  poisonous — Tubers  of  the 
Hemlock  Tribe  eaten  like  the  Potato — Modifying  of  poison- 
ous plants — Song  of  the  Pentandrian  Tribes — Class  Hexan- 
dria — Mono-Cotyledones — Nature  provides  for  the  seed  as 
she  does  for  the  young  chicken — Di-Cotyledones— Poly-Co- 
tyledones — A-Cotyledones — Flowers  in  Hexandria — Nar- 
cissus— Song  of  the  Hexandrian  Tribes — Class  Heptane] ria 
— Horse  Chesnut — Chick  Weed  Wintergreen — Song  of  the 
Heptandrian  Tribes. 


TABLE    OP    CONTENTS.  Vll 

V. 

Class  Octandria— Sycamore— Horse  Chesnut— Song  of  the 
Octandrian  Tribes — Class  Enneandria — Song  of  the  Enne- 
andrian  Tribes — Symmetry  in  Plants — Class  Decandria — 
Poke  Weed  harmless  when  young — Arbutus — Venus  Fly 
Trap — Song  of  the  Decandrian  Tribes — Class  Dodecandria 
— Song  of  the  Dodecandrian  Tribes — Class  Polyandria — 
Water  Lily— Song  of  the  Polyandrian  Tribes. 

VI. 

Class  Didynamia — Orders  not  dependent  on  the  number  of 
pistils,  as  in  the  first  thirteen  classes — Gymnospermia — An- 
giospermia — Labiate  Flowers — Ringent — Personate — Sage 
Harmony  of  Nature — Character  of  the  Ringent  Flowers — 
Fox  Glove— Song  of  the  Didynamian  Tribes— Class  Tetra- 
dynamia — Characteristics  of  the  Cruciform  Family — The 
two  Orders  —  Siliculosa — Shepherd's  Purse — Siligriosa — 
Wall  Flower— Song  of  the  Tetradynamian  Tribes— Class 
Monadelphia  —  Order  Triandria — Passion  Flower — Gera- 
niums— Order  Polyandria,  a  natural  assemblage — Song  of 
the  Monadelphian  Tribes. 

VII. 

Class  Diadelphia — Papilonaceae — Dissection  of  a  Papilona- 
ceous  flower  —  Petalostemons — Lupine  —  Furze  —  Seneka 
Snake  Root — Moving  Plant — Song  of  the  Diadelphian 
Tribes^ -Class  Polyadelphia — How  modern  Botanists  dis- 
pose of  Dodecandria — St.  John's  Wort — Song  of  the  Poly- 
adelphian  Tribes — Class  Syngenesia — Its  characteristics 
from  the  preceding — Composite — Polygamia  ^qualis — 
Polygamia  Superflua — John  Mason  Good  on  the  Daisy — 
Polygamia  Frustanea — Polygamia  Nescessaria — Polygamia 
Segregata — Song  of  the  Syngenesian  Tribes. 


... 

Vlii  TABLE    OF    CONTENTS 

VIII. 

Class  Gynandria— Pollinia— Peculiarities  of  the  Orchis  family 
—Ladies'  Tresses— Habits  of  the  Orchis  Tribe— Song  of  the 
Gynandrian  Tribes— Class  Moncecia— Trees  in  it— Hazel- 
Corn— Flint's  remarks  on  the  fructification  of  Maize— Flow- 
ers of  little  streams— Song  of  the  Moncacian  Tribes— Class 
Dio3cia— Fruit  of  the  Fig— Method  of  producing  two  crops 
of  it  in  one  season — Explanation — Banyan  Tree — Indian 
Rubber  and  Cow  Trees — Myrica — Rafflesia — Song  of  the 
Dicecian  Tribes. 

IX. 

Class  Polygamia — Its  Orders — Song  of  the  Polygamian  Tribes 
— Class  Cryptogamia — Sporse — Mode  in  which  it  is  Said 
Linneus  formed  it — Number  of  its  Orders — Ferns — Their 
Fructification — Maiden  Hair — Height  of  Ferns  in  tropical 
climates — Mosses  —  Mungo  Park — Habits  of  Mosses — 
Wordsworth — Liverworts — Sea  Weeds  —  Lichens— Mush- 
rooms— Their  Habits — Qualities — How  to  tell  the  species 
for  Catsup — Tuber  Mushrooms — Song  of  the  Cryptogamian 
Tribes — Rejected  Classes— Imperfections  of  the  Linnean 
System — Number  not  reliable,  and  how  managed  by  bota- 
nists in  classing — Distinction  between  the  two  systems-  - 
How  to  acquire  the  name  of  botanist. 

X. 

Planting  of  slips — Polypi — Their  resemblance  to  plants — Life 
germs — Why  a  tree  turned  upside  down  should  have 
branches  and  leaves  from  the  former  roots,  and  vice  versa — 
Cotyledons — Office  of  seed  making — Use  of  fruit — Silk  used 
and  Cotton — Differences  between  seed  and  life  germs — Two 
objects  must  be  attended  to  in  causing  germs  to  sprout — 
Layers — Nature's  method  of  propagating  plants  in  this  way 
-^Banyan  tree — Pope's  Willow — Humboldt — Grafting  and 


TABLE    OF    CONTENTS.  IX 

slips — Seed  cradle — Common  origin  of  leaves — Corolla  sta- 
mens, &c. — Proof— Garden  flowers  to  be  avoided  by  young 
botanists — Treatment  of  fruit  trees — Their  short  lives — Cen- 
tury Aloe — Lilies — Annual,  Biennial  and  Perennial  Plants — 
Large  and  long-lived  trees  produce  small  fruit — Philosopher. 

XL 

Adaptive  power  of  nature — Balsam  capsules — Dandelion  bal- 
loons— Burdock  hooks — Erigeron,  Mahogany,  and  Cocoa- 
nut — Vital  powers  of  seeds — Planting  of  woods  by  squirrels — 
Barrier  to  the  dissemination  of  seeds — Vallisneria — Poem — 
Air  flower — Habits  of  indigenous  plants  of  hot  climates — 
Solandra — Brosimum — Size  of  leaves  in  temperate  and  torrid 
regions — Talipot — Clothing  of  trees — Divination  of  botanists 
Heath  of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope — Thunberg — Uses  of  poi- 
sonous plants — Their  general  situation — Plain  near  Rome — 
Stramonium — Manhattan  Island — Locality  of  useful  and 
dangerous  plants — Analogy  of  animals — Cold  climates — 
Aconite — Remedies  exist  with  the  disease — Willow — Dis- 
covery of  Peruvian  bark. 

XII. 

Methods  of  preserving  the  grass  tribes — Use  of  bitter  herbs  in 
the  fields — Herbarium — Keeping  plants  for  analysis — Pre- 
serving plants — Change  of  color  when  dried — Thornton's 
comparison — Botanical  Directory — Its  application — Mira- 
bilis — Verbena — Bouncing  Bet — Endogens — Exogens — For- 
mation of  endogenous  stems — Wood  cutter — Formation  of 
Exogenous  stems — Cabbage  like  tops — Parellel  vein  leaves 
— Mode  of  discovering  the  age  of  trees — Perfect  wood — Al- 
burum  —  Coloring  matter  —  Mahogany  —  Ebony — Forma- 
tion of  bark  —  Gimblet — Inscriptions — Adanson — Daniel 
Boone 


X  TABLE    OF    CONTENTS. 

£  «    ' 

XIII. 

Synopsis  of  the  classes  and  orders,  with  examples  under  each 
— Examples  of  Genera  and  Species  for  exercising  the  learner. 

XIV. 

Floral  Dictionary  preceded  by  Poetry. 

XV. 

Glossary  of  technical  terms. 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 


FIRST  CONVERSATION. 

Laura.  Sister,  what  kind  of  flowers  are 
these? 

Emily.  I  have  never  examined  them  par- 
ticularly enough  to  discover  their  name.  But 
you  must  not  gather  any  of  them  as  they  are 
poisonous. 

L.  If  you  do  not  know  their  name  and  have 
not  paid  much  attention  to  them,  I  should  like 
to  know  how  you  are  aware  they  are  at  all  dan- 
gerous ? 

E.  It  will  be  a  means  of  showing  you 
Laura,  how  a  very  little  knowledge  is  of  great 
use  sometimes.  I  knew  the  nature  of  the  flow- 
ers from  a  rule  framed  by  botanists,  which  says, 
that  all  plants  with  five  stamens  and  one  pistil, 
with  a  dull  colored  lurid  corolla,  and  of  a  nau- 
seous sickly  smell,  are  always  poisonous.  Many 
a  life  has  been  spared  and  much  trouble  pre- 
vented by  simple  attention  to  this  rule. 


12      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

L.  But  may  there  not  be  other  methods  of 
judging  plants  ?  In  reading  a  book  lately,  I  was 
very  much  interested  in  the  account  of  a  starv- 
ing traveller,  who  at  his  greatest  need  found 
some  plants,  the  roots  of  which  he  dug  up,  but 
was  afraid  to  eat  until  he  had  given  a  part  to 
some  animals  that  were  near  him ;  after  they 
had  eaten  he  had  no  more  scruples,  and  freely 
satisfied  his  hunger.  Would  not  such  a  plan 
be  better  than  printed  rules,  and  much  easier 
besides  ? 

E.  A  more  unsafe  method  of  proceeding 
can  hardly  be  imagined.  Our  common  barn- 
yard fowls  eat  without  danger  the  seeds  of 
many  plants  that  would  be  fatal  to  man.  The 
nature  of  the  inferior  animals  differs  much  from 
men,  for  hogs  and  horses  will  fatten  by  eating 
arsenic.  Rely  upon  it,  there  is  no  regal  or  rather 
lazy-folks-road  to  knowledge,  and  expedients, 
similar  to  the  one  you  have  mentioned,  show  a 
lack  of  information  instead  of  its  possession. 

L.  As  he  did  not  know  the  name  of  the 
plant,  I  cannot  think  of  any  other  way  of  finding 
out  whether  it  was  safe  to  eat  or  not. 

E.  There  are,  however,  many  other  modes, 
in  instance  of  which  I  may  mention  a  story  that 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      13 

is  related  about  the  expedition  sent  some  time 
since  with  the  view  of  discovering  the  spot 
where  the  celebrated  La  Peyrouse  was  ship- 
wrecked. The  whole  of  the  crew,  from  the 
necessaiy  confinement  produced  by  the  length 
of  the  voyage,  became  afflicted  with  scurvy,  and 
were  suffering  greatly,  when  prompt  relief  was 
afforded  by  the  use  of  an  unknown  plant  of  the 
Cruciform  family  that  was  discovered  on  the 
coast  of  New  Holland  by  a  botanist  attached  to 
the  expedition.  As  the  Cruciform  family  is  in 
all  its  branches  anti-scorbutic,  he  became  aware 
the  moment  he  met  with  a  cross-shaped  flower, 
which  is  the  distinguishing  mark  of  that  family, 
that  he  had  found  a  means  of  cure,  though  he 
could  not  tell  the  name  of  the  plant.  Had  the 
traveller  you  speak  of  understood  botany,  he 
need  not  have  had  recourse  to  the  lower  ani- 
mals to  discover  the  properties  of  his  roots. 

L.  But  if  there  were  no  flowers  to  be  seen 
could  he  tell  in  that  case  ? 

E.  Most  likely,  for  there  are  other  marks 
Avhich  you  will  find  out  when  you  proceed,  as  I 
hope  you  will,  in  the  study  of  this  science. 

L.  I  have  never  felt  as  if  I  should  like  to 
study  it.  There  are  so  many  hard  names,  I 


J4      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

feel  certain  I  could  not  learn  them  all.  Julia 
Williams  has  been  studying  botany  a  long  time, 
and  yet  even  now,  when  she  comes  to  a  hard 
word  has  to  look  in  her  glossary  to  find  out  its 
meaning.  I  have  seen  her  perplexed  in  this 
way  many  and  many  a  time. 

E.  Which  trouble  arises  from  the  fact  that 
she  does  not  learn  her  subject  thoroughly  as  she 
proceeds.  Persons  of  her  disposition  are  always 
poor  scholars,  and  will  inevitably  remain  so  till 
cured  of  such  wretched  habits.  It  is  not  be- 
cause science  is  so  difficult,  but  merely  because 
they  are  too  indolent.  Be  always  sure  to  study 
the  technical  terms  of  any  branch  you  commence 
till  you  perfectly  understand  them ;  do  this  in 
botany  and  it  will  ensure  you  a  rapid  and  easy 
progress.  Such  a  method  of  proceeding  is  the 
only  real  test  of  good  scholarship. 

L.  I  can  easily  see  even  now  that  you  are 
right,  for  if  I  was  called  on  at  this  moment  to 
apply  the  rule  you  give  relative  to  poisons,  I 
could  not  do  it,  as  I  do  not  even  know  what  a 
corolla  is. 

E.  It  is  the  painted  part  of  the  flower  often 
called  the  blossom.  In  the  pink  before  us, 
(fig.  1.)  the  flat  variegated  portion  with  the 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      15 


claws  attached  to  it  is  called  the  corolla,  a.  In- 
side the  corolla  you  may  perceive  a  set  of  up- 
right threads  with  caps  on  them :  these  are  the 
stamens,  6. ;  and  in  the  centre  of  all  are  the  pis- 
tils, c.  The  whole  is  set  in  a  cup  called  the 
calyx,  d.  The  end  of  the  stalk,  at  the  point  of 
attachment  of  these  organs,  is  called  the  recep- 
tacle or  receiver  of  the  rest.  Now,  Laura,  I 
wish  you  to  mention  the  names  of  the  several 
parts  as  I  take  the  pink  to  pieces.  And  to  com- 
mence, what  is  this  ? 

L.  The  outermost  of  all  next  the  receptacle  ? 
that  is  the  calyx,  d. 

E.  It  is  in  fact  nothing  but  the  termination 
of  the  green  covering  or  bark  of  the  stem  or 
stalk.  When  it  consists  of  separate  parts  each 
leaf  is  called  a  sepal.  The  name  is  derived 
from  the  Latin,  calyx,  a  cup.  What  is  this  ? 

L.  The  colored  part  or  corolla,  a. 

E.  As  the  calyx  was  the  termination  of  the 
outer  bark,  so  is  this  of  the  inner.  Its  leaves 
are  called  petals.  The  name  is  derived  from 
the  Greek,  meaning  a  crown.  What  are  these  ? 

L.  The  stamens :  there  are  ten  of  them. 

E.  Each  one  is  divided  into  two  parts.  The 
longest  portion  is  called  a  filament,  1,  from  the 


16      BOTANY  TOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

Latin,  filum  a  thread.  The  cup  is  the  anther, 
2,  or  pollen  box.  What  are  these  ? 

L.  The  two  pistils  ;  they  are  the  innermost 
of  all. 

E.  Each  pistil  is  divided  into  three  parts; 
the  stigma,  1  ;  style,  2  ;  and  germ,  3. 

L.  Can  you  tell  of  what  use  so  many  parts 
are? 

E.  Yes.  After  the  blossom  opens,  if  you 
watch  carefully,  you  would  perceive  the  little 
anthers  become  full  of  a  yellowish  powder  call- 
ed pollen,  from  which  comes  their  name  of  pol- 
len-boxes. The  final  object  of  this  pollen  is  to 
be  shaken  on  the  stigma  or  top  of  the  pistil. 
After  it  is  shaken  on  it,  part  of  it  pierces  the 
germ  or  seed  case  at  the  base  of  the  pistil,  and 
except  this  germ,  in  most  cases,  the  other  parts 
having  now  fulfilled  their  offices,  drop  off;  the 
seed  case  or  germ  is  meanwhile  enlarging,  and 
continues  increasing  in  size  until  the  seeds  are 
fully  ripe.  These  seeds  with  their  coverings 
are  termed,  in  the  language  of  botany,  fruit. 
Will  you  read  from  this  page  Flints  beautiful 
comparison  on  tjjis  subject  ? 

L.  He  says  that  the  analogy  of  the  world  of 
animal  life  is  still  preserved,  and  that  the  male 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      17 

flowers,  as  the  stronger  and  bolder  sex,  are 
drawn  by  the  impulses  of  nature  to  pay  court  to 
the  feebler  and  more  delicate  female.  The 
male  stamina,  with  their  gaily  painted  hats,  bow 
around  the  female  pistil  as  beaus  about  their 
belle.  Each,  in  turn,  is  permitted  to  come  in 
contact  with  the  fair,  and  as  the  contact  takes 
place,  the  golden  pollen  is  shaken  upon  the  pis- 
til and  the  stamen  retires  to  give  place  to  the 
next  that  offers  the  same  homage.  What  does 
it  mean  here  when  it  speaks  of  male  and  female 
flowers  ? 

E.  From  the  pistil  nourishing  the  fruit  in  its 
bosom  it  is  considered  as  the  mother,  and  bears 
a  Greek  name  signifying  wife,  Grynia,  while 
the  stamens  that  stand  by  and  guard  her,  are 
termed  husbands,  Andria.  Darwin  makes 
very  pretty  allusion  to  this  in  his  poetical  de- 
scription of  the  Meadi  a,  or  American  Cowslip: 

"Meadia's  soft  chains  fine  suppliant  beaus  confess, 
And  hand  in  hand  the  laughing  belle  address, 
Alike  to  all  she  bows  with  wanton  air, 
Rolls  her  dark  eye,  and  waves  her  golden  hair." 

You  will  appreciate  the  suitableness  of  these 
lines  when  you  know  more  abouj  the  plant. 

Li.  Why  are  flowers  so  very  handsome  and 
yet   no  one   thinks   much  of  pulling   them  to 


18      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

pieces.     We  are  not  nigh  as  beautiful,  though  I 
am  sure,  much  more  valuable. 

E.  That  question  has  puzzled  many  a-one. 
and  yet  is  easily  explainable.  In  plants,  the 
most  curious  parts  of  their  structure  are  laid 
open  to  view,  but  the  similar  organs  in  ourselves 
entirely  concealed.  I  have  no  doubt,  were  it 
possible  to  render  your  hand  transparent  so  that 
you  might  see  the  wondrous  animated  ma- 
chinery and  gorgeous  colors  displayed  there,  the 
spectacle  would  far  surpass  in  beauty  and  finish 
that  exhibited  by  the  rarest  production  of  the 
vegetable  kingdom. 

L.  You  have  explained  the  uses  of  the  sta- 
mens and  pistils;  thje  corolla,  I  suppose,  has 
no  particular  virtue — it  is  only  for  ornament. 

E.  It  is  the  opinion  of  many  that  it  prepares 
a  fluid  for  the  nourishment  of  the  stamens,  and 
this  opinion  is  rather  strengthened  by  the  obser- 
vation in  some  flowers  of  the  nectary  being  only 
a  part  of  it,  as  in  the  common  Columbine  of  the 
gardens :  the  little  horns  of  that  flower — which 
some  have  compared  to  doves  stooping  to  drink, 
from  whence  a^bse  its  name  of  Columbine,  fron  i 
Columba,  a  dove — are  nectaries. 

L.     What  is  the  use  of  the  Nectary  ? 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      19 

E.  Always  for  the  secretion  of  honey,  and 
some  say  this  honey  is  merely  for  the  purpose 
of  tempting  insects  to  come  to  the  plants. 
There  are  not  a  few  instances  in  which  the 
male  flowers  grow  on  one  plant  and  the  female 
flowers  on  another :  as  the  pollen  must  be  sha- 
ken on  the  pistil  to  ensure  fruit,  the  wind  and 
insects  are  relied  upon  for  doing  this,  so  that 
you  can  perceive  the  advantage  which  ensues 
from  companies  of  insects  while  gathering  honey 
on  the  male  plant,  becoming  covered  with  pol- 
len, visiting  directly  afterwards  the  female  for  the 
same  purpose,  and  leaving  with  the  last  the  dust 
that  had  adhered  to  them  from  the  first.  The 
Date  has  its  male  and  female  flowers  OH  sepa- 
rate trees,  but  the  people,  not  daring  to  trust 
to  uncertainties,  regularly  when  the  pollen  be- 
comes ripe,  sprinkle  it  over  the  female  flowers, 
and  thus  secure  to  themselves  a  valuable,  and 
often  indispensable  crop  of  fruit.  The  nectaiy 
in  many  cases,  however,  is  a  separate  organ  not 
directly  connected  with  the  corolla. 

L.  What  object  does  the  calyx  serve. 

E.  To  guard  the  outer  part  of  the  flower, 
keeping  its  blossoms  in  the  right  place  and 
shielding  it  from  injury.  The  corolla,  whether 


20      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

connected  with  the  secretion  of  honey  or  not, 
serves  as  a  protection  to  the  stamens,  folding  up 
regularly  at  night,  to  protect  them  from  the 
influences  of  the  weather. 

L.  But  some,  like  the  bluebells,  cannot  fold 
up. 

E.  There  is  no  need  for  them  to  do  so,  their 
protection  is  equally  efficacious,  as  covering 
them  in  the  manner  they  do,  .they  serve  the 
purposes  of  a  bell  glass,  screening  them  from 
injurious  influences,  as  the  glass  does  the  fancy 
clock  in  the  parlor. 

L.  I  should  think  if  the  corolla  folded  up 
to  shelter  the  stamens  at  night  it  would  do  the 
same  in  stormy  weather,  they  need  it  as  much 
then  as  at  any  other  time,  perhaps  more. 

E.  You  are  right,  it  should  fold  up  at  such 
times,  and  it  accordingly  does  do  this.  From 
the  circumstance  of  its  closing  before  a  storm. 
and  thus  foretelling  the  approach  of  one,  they 
are  often  used  as  weather  prophets.  That 
little  flower  below  us  is  the  Scarlet  Pimper- 
nel, better  known  to  you,  perhaps,  as  the 
Weather  -Glass ;  when  it  does  not  open  in  the 
morning  the  people  stay  at  home  and  prepare 
for  rain,  and  they  do  this  if  there  is  not  at  the 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      21 

«        *        A     *"       " 

time  a  cloud  in  the  sky  and  the  sun  shining 
brightly.  In  France  the  peasants  train  to  the 
sides  of  their  cottages  a  species  of  Caiiina, 
whose  open  flowers  encourage  them  to  proceed 
to  their  daily  labor,  but  when  closed  form  a 
sure  presage  of  approaching  rain. 

L.  I  have  heard  Uncle  John  tell  a  stoiy  of  a 
shepherd  boy  meeting  a  gentleman  with  his  dogs 
and  gun,  going  out  a  hunting,  a  ad  warning  him 
to  return  home  ;  but  as'  there  were  no  signs  of 
rain,  the  gentleman  thought  he  was  foolish, 
and  laughed  at  him.  Before  noon,  however,  it 
rained  in  torrents,  and  the  gentleman  was  forced 
to  return  ;  on  liis  way  he  met  his  friendly 
adviser,  whom  he  had  treated  so  rudely,  and  his 
curiosity  being  much  excited  to  find  the  means 
the  boy  possessed  of  foretelling  rain,  he  offered 
him  a  guinea  for  the  information.  The  boy 
took  the  guinea  and  told  him  he  had  noticed 
that  the  Shepherd's  Weather  Glass  was  not  open 
as  he  passed  it  in  the  morning. 

E.  Not  only  do  many  flowers  seem  possessed 
of  an  instinct  to  close  on  the  approach  of  dan- 
ger, but  there  is  an  equal,  if  not  greater  power 
exhibited  in  their  not  opening  until  the  proper 


. 

22      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

time,  when  the  most  benefit  will  be  derived 
from  the  heat  and  light.  Likely  the  object  is 
to  give  the  pollen  the  best  chances  for  ripening. 
You  must  have  observed  the  singular  opening 
of  the  Four  O'Clock,  about  the  hour  its  name 
denotes  every  afternoon  ? 

L.  O,  yes,  I  shall  not  soon  forget  taking 
Maria  round  the  garden  to  see  them,  and 
we  could  not  find  any,  though  I  was  certain 
they  had  been  there  the  day  before.  It  was 
not  until  some  time  afterwards  I  found  that 
the  cause  of  our  not  finding  them  was  because 
we  had  made  too  early  a  visit,  and  they,  like 
fashionable  people,  could  not  be  seen  so  soon. 

E.  Grainger,  in  his  poem  on  the  sugar 
cane,  recommends  the  planters  to  permit  their 
slaves  to  retire  to  their  huts  on  the  opening 
of  these  flowers  as  a  shelter  from  the  heat.  The 
greater  number  of  flowers  have  such  a  regular 
time  for  opening  and  shutting,  that  Linneus  gave 
a  list  of  a  number  with  the  idea  that  it  should  an- 
swer the  purpose  of  a  watch,  so  that  by  watching 
the  particular  time  at  which  a  flower  opened 
or  shut  we  could  name  the  exact  hour  and 
minute.  Mrs.  Hemans  wrote  some  lines  on 


„."  ' 

BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      23 

ihis   far-famed   Dial  of  Flora,   which   I   wish 
you  would  read  from  her  book. 

Li.  'Twas  a  lovely  thought  to  mark  the  hours 

As  they  floated  in  light  away, 
By  the  opening  and  the  folding  flowers 
That  laugh  to  the  summer  day. 

Thus  had  each  moment  its  own  rich  hue, 

And  its  graceful  cup  and  bell, 
In  whose  colored  vase  might  sleep  the  dew, 

Like  a  pearl  in  an  ocean  shell. 

To  such  sweet  signs,  might  the  time  have  flown 
In  a  golden  current  on,  ^ 

Ere  from  the  garden,  man's  first  abode, 
The  glorious  guests  were  gone. 

So  might  the  days  have  been  brightly  told, 

Those  days  of  song  and  dreams, 
When  shepherds  gathered  their  flocks  of  old 

By  the  blue  Arcadian  streams. 

So  in  those  isles  of  delight  that  rest 

Far  off  in  a  breezeless  main, 
Which  many  a  bark  with  a  weary  gueti, 

Has  sought,  but  still  in  vain. 

Vet  is  not  life  in  its  real  flight, 

Marked  thus,  even  thus  on  earth, 
By  the  closing  of  one  hope's  delight 

And  another's  gentle  birth  ? 

Oh  let  us  live,  so  that  flower  by  flower, 

Shutting  in  turn  may  leave, 
A  lingerer  still  for  the  sunset  hour, 

A  charm  for  the  shaded  eve. 


5i4  BOTANY    FOR    YOUNG    PEOPLE. 

.SECOND  CONVERSATION. 

L.  How  is  it  sister,  that  at  the  end  of  our 
garden,  next  the  rosebushes,  there  are  some 
Stramonium  plants  growing,  and  a  little  further 
on  some  turnips.  I  have  been  looking  at  the 
ground  and  it  appears  to  me  all  of  the  same 
kind ;  so  I  cannot  see  how  roses,  and  poisons,  and 
turnips,  can  be  made  of  exactly  the  same  thing. 

E.  Our  food  at  table  is  generally  alike,  is 
it  not  Laura  ? 

L.  Yes,  almost  always. 

E.  Why  then  do  not  your  features  and 
form  resemble  mine,  as  exactly  as  you  would 
have  the  plants  simulate  one  another  ? 

L.  Our  souls  make  us  look  as  we  do- 
plants  have  no  souls. 

E.  That  would  not  answer  my  question. 
It  is  not  your  soul  that  digests  your  food  or 
makes  your  heart  beat,  for  in  that  case  these 
actions  could  not  take  place  while  you  slept. 
You  have  within  you  a  principle,  separate  from 
the  soul,  called  the  Vital  Power,  whose  office 
it  is  to  take  charge  of  the  building  up  and 
repairing  of  your  body.  A  plant  has  exactly 
the  same  kind  of  principle,  without  a  soul.  It 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      25 

must  be  in  some  measure  immaterial,  and 
we  can  only  recognize  its  existence  by  its  effects. 

L.  But  I  do  not  comprehend  how  you  can 
tell  about  that  which  you  cannot  see. 

E.  Here  is  my  watch;  can  you  tell  what 
makes  it  go? 

L.  Yes;  the  mainspring.  I  perceive  what 
you  mean  :  that  when  I  am  witnessing  a  set 
of  actions  I  should  think  there  must  be  some 
cause  sufficient  to  produce  these  actions,  even 
though  that  cause  is  hidden. 

E.  You  understand  me  perfectly.  There 
are  two  kinds  of  powers  in  nature,  the  Life 
Powers  and  the  Mechanical  forces,  and  these 
are  in  perpetual  opposition.  A  good  example 
of  this  is  shown  in  the  case  of  two  seeds,  one  of 
which  has  had  an  electric  spark  passed  through 
it  in  order  to  destroy  its  powers.  Place  both 
in  a  warm  moist  place,  and  watch  the  effects. 
The  dead  seed  soon  rots  and  disappears,  while 
the  very  warmth  and  moisture  that  caused  it  to 
decompose  excites  the  living  one  to  grow. 
A  violent  contest  is  evident,  the  effect  of  which 
is  seen  by  the  sprouting  of  a  plant  that  hangs 
out  its  rlowery  banners  in  token  of  victory. 
The  Mechanical  Forces,  from  destroying  every 

3' 


26      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

thing  to  which  they  have  access,  are  called  the 
Pullers-down  of  nature,  while  their  opponents 
have  been  styled  the  Builders-up.  Besides, 
the  knowledge  received  from  observation,  we 
have  another  and  an  unerring  source  of  infor- 
mation on  this  subject.  The  Bible  mentions 
the  express  creation  of  a  set  of  vegetable  powers 
distinct  from  matter  and  the  Mechanical 
Forces.  Will  you  read  the  account  from  Gen. 
ii.  v.  5? 

L.  And  the  LORD  GOD  made  every  plant  of 
the  field  before  it  wns  in  the  earth,  and  every 
herb  of  the  field  before  it  grew.  Plants  then 
were  made  before  animals. 

E.  Yes,  plants  are  necessary  to  the  existence 
of  animals,  their  leaves  are  required  to  purify 
<he  air. 

L.  I  thought  storms  did  that? 

E.  They  render  assistance  in  another  way. 
but  not  at  all  in  this  of  which  we  are  speaking. 
If  I  place  this  large  bellglass  or  receiver  over 
the  lamp,  how  long  will  it  continue  burning  ? 

L.  A  very  little  time.  You  have  told  me 
before  that  two  kinds  of  gases,  oxygen  and  nitro- 
gen, form  the  atmosphere.  Oxygen  is  the  true 
supporter  of  combustion,  and  the  nitrogen  is 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.       27 

mixed  with  it  to  weaken  it,  otherwise  every  thing 
would  burn  up  too  fast.  After  a  little  while 
the  flame  would  consume  all  the  oxygen  inside 
the  receiver,  and  then,  as  it  could  not  burn 
without  more  of  it,  go  out. 

E.  Suppose  there  was  some  contrivance 
inside  the  receiver  by  which  oxygen  gas  was 
thrown  out  in  sufficient  quanties  to  supply 
the  combustion,  when  would  the  flame  cease  ? 

L.  Not  until  both  the  oil  and  wick  were 
burned  up. 

E.  All  animals,  including  man,  resemble 
lamps  in  requiring  oxygen  to  keep  them  burning 
or  alive.  But  here  the  resemblance  ceases,  for 
the  lamp  merely  consumes  the  oxygen,  but 
animals,  in  return  for  this  gas,  throw  out  carbo- 
nic acid,  a  compound,  you  know,  of  charcoal  and 
oxygen  ;  this  is  to  them  a  deadly  poison,  being  of 
the  same  kind  as  the  gas  found  at  the  bottom 
of  wells  and  cisterns,  and  which  so  often 
kills  those  who  incautiously  descend  into  them ; 
its  mere  accumulation  in  the  atmosphere  would 
be  sufficient  to  destroy  animal  life.  To  allow 
us  to  breathe  then,  two  objects  must  be  attended 
to ;  in  the  first  place,  a  supply  of  oxygen  to  take 
the  place  of  that  which  is  consumed,  and,  in 


28      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

the  second,  a  means  of  getting  rid  of  the 
carbonic  acid  which  would  soon  kill  us  if 
allowed  to  remain.  Both  these  objects  are 
answered  by  the  leaves  of  plants  which  decom- 
pose the  carbonic  acid  the  moment  it  touches 
them.  The  carbon  it  retains  in  its  own  sub- 
stance, and  sends  back  the  oxygen  for  the  use 
of  animals.  You  can  see  from  this  how  depen- 
dent we  are  on  even  the  minutest  spire  of  grass 
or  leaf  of  a  moss,  and  what  necessity  there 
was  to  make  the  vegetable  world  a  little  before 
the  animal.  Saadi,  the  Persion  poet,  has  a 
beautiful  fable  on  this  subject,  in  which  it  has 
been  aptly  said  of  him,  that  he  proved  as  a  phi- 
losopher the  harmony  in  nature  which  he  sung 
as  a  poet.  Will  you  read  it  from  this  ? 

L.  A  nightingale  is  imprisoned  in  a  cage  of 
glass  with  a  rosebush  blooming  with  flowers. 
Each  owes  its  life  to  the  other.  Deprived  of 
fresh  air,  the  bird  would  soon  cease  to  swell  its 
little  throat  with  harmony.  The  rose  eagerly 
absorbs  the  air  which  has  been  respired  by  its 
loved  philomel,  and  drawing  nourishment  from 
it,  blushes  brighter  tints,  retaining  the  carbon, 
and  throwing  back  the  oxygen  to  be  inhaled 
anew  by  the  bird  of  song.  As  often  as  the 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      29 

nightingale  loads  the  air  with  effluvia  pernici- 
ous to  itself,  the  rose  neutralizes  the  poison  in 
its  own  bosom,  and  returns  pure  air  to  fts  fel- 
low prisoner.  When  the  bird  at  length  expires 
of  old  age,  singing  its  dirge  of  gratitude,  the 
rosebush  withers  and  dies. 

E.  This  fable  presents  the  subject  in  its  true 
light,  by  showing  you  that  while  the  plant  is 
really  necessary  to  our  existence,  it  is,  in  work- 
ing for  us,  only  subserving  its  own  purposes. 
The  four  principal  elements  of  vegetables,  are 
CARBON,  OXYGEN,  HYDROGEN,  and  NITRO- 
GEN. Water  is  made  of  the  second  and  third 
of  these,  and  the  atmosphere  of  the  second  and 
fourth.  We  have  seen  from  wThat  source  the 
Carbon  may  be  derived,  so  that  the  facility  with 
which  plants  can  find  means  of  sustenance  need 
excite  no  surprise ;  nor  yet  that  they  can  live 
without  touching  the  ground  and  exist  on  air 
and  the  moisture  contained  in  it.  Have  you 
ever  seen  plants  that  did  this,  Laura? 

L.  O  yes.  There  are  Orchis  plants  in  the 
hot-house,  that  look  just  like  butterflies,  both  in 
shape  and  color,  which  the  gardener  says  live 
on  nothing  but  air.  and  that  he  has  not  even  to 
water  them. 

4 


30      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

E.  The  food  taken  into  the  stomach  after 
eating,  is  digested,  and  then  goes  through  a 
variety  of  processes,  which  terminates  by  pass- 
ing it  through  the  lungs,  at  which  place  carbo- 
nic acid  is  thrown  out  and  oxygen  received. 
Plants  take  their  food  by  means  of  little  bundles 
of  leech-like  mouths  fixed  at  the  end  of  their 
roots,  termed  spongioles ;  these  suck  from  the 
soil  whatever  is  necessary  to  the  support  of  the 
plant,  and  then  act  the  part  of  stomachs  by  im- 
mediately digesting  it.  A  set  of  vessels  carries  it 
up  to  the  leaves  to  be  further  elaborated,  while 
there,  a  supply  of  carbon,  a  substance  which 
makes  most  of  the  body  of  the  plant,  is  received, 
and  a  corresponding  amount  of  oxygen  thrown 
off,  and  the  sap,  thus  purified,  goes  the  rounds 
of  the  system  in  another  set  of  vessels,  to  supply 
its  necessities  and  form  its  compounds. 

L.  Then  the  odors  of  Rose  and  Lemon,  and 
Cinnamon,  are  made  of  nothing  but  air  and 
water. 

E.  The  elements  of  their  composition  are 
mostly  derived  from  the  substances  you  have 
named.  In  the  human  system  are  a  set  of 
bodies  called  glands,  whose  office  it  is  to  make 
up  or  combine  the  various  secretions  required  in 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      31 

the  body.  When  the  blood  comes  to  these 
glands  they  take  from  it  whatever  they  want, 
and  then  manufacture  from  those  materials  the 
substances  required.  It  is  in  this  way  the  liver 
makes  bile,  and  the  lachrymal  gland  tears. 
Plants  have  a  similar  set  of  little  organs,  or 
glands,  that  from  the  pure  juice  make  up  the 
essential  oils,  as  Rose,  Cinnamon,  Lavender,  and 
Lemon ;  the  different  salts,  as  Oxalic  Acid,  Qui- 
nine, and  Salacine ;  and  noxious  compounds,  as 
the  Upas  juice,  and  Prussic  Acid.  Odors,  pois- 
ons, and  medicines,  are  all  made  in  this  way,  by 
the  life  power,  from  the  simplest  elements. 

L.  But  we  could  not  take  those  elements  and 
make  them? 

E.  Certainly  not.  It  could  only  be  accom- 
plished by  the  agency  of  the  life-power  working 
in  its  accustomed  manner.  Some  years  since 
when  it  became  generally  known  of  what  ele- 
ments milk  was  composed,  the  chemists  of  Paris 
undertook  to  supply  that  city  with  pure  milk  of 
their  own  manufacture,  but  as  they  could  not 
govern  the  vital  powers,  their  influence  being 
limited  to  the  forces  of  mechanics  and  chemis- 
try, the  attempt  signally  failed.  To-morrow, 
we  will  commence  studying  the  classincatiori~of 


32      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

plants,  to  which  most  of  the  matter  we  have 
gone  over,  has  been  but  preliminary. 


THIRD  CONVERSATION. 

E.  Well,  Laura,  I  perceive  you  are  ready  to 
commence  the  study  of  classification.  You  un- 
derstand enough  of  the  elementary  organs  to 
proceed  without  further  trouble.  But  before  we 
commence  will  you  find  out  the  meaning  of  the 
word  Botany  ? 

L.  It  is  said  to  be  derived  from  a  Greek  word 
signifying  the  history  of  the  vegetable  kingdom. 
Its  object  is  to  examine  the  different  parts  or 
organs  of  plants,  and  explain  their  functions : 
and  to  compare  one  with  another  so  as  to  make 
a  basis  of  discrimination. 

E.  There  are  100,000  different  species  of 
plants  known  at  the  present  time,  and  this  num- 
ber is  constantly  increasing  by  new  discoveries. 

L.  What  is  a  species  ? 

E.  Linneus  thought,  what  was  undoubtedly 
the  case,  that  there  were  as  many  species  as  dif- 
ferent forms  of  vegetables  produced  at  the 
creation.  It  is  in  the  knowledge  of  the  great- 


ft. 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      33 

est  number  of  species,  the  best  botanist  is 
shown.  A  species  is  a  family  agreeing  with 
each  other  in  every  particular,  except  in  some 
instances  where  cultivation  produces  what  are 
called  varieties.  Thus,  all  the  yellow  roses 
form  one  species,  the  damask  roses  another,  the 
Frrnch  roses  a  third,  and  so  on  through  a  great 
number. 

L.  But  is  there  not  some  mode  of  grouping 
the  roses  under  one  head  which  will  distinguish 
them  from  pinks,  and  lilacs,  and  other  flowers, 
as  the  species  show  a  difference  between  them- 
selves? 

E.  Yes.  A  number  of  species  form  a  genus. 
All  flowers  with  a  pitcher-shaped  calyx,  which 
is  fleshy,  contracted  at  the  base,  and  divided 
into  five  parts  that  adhere  to  each  other — the 
corollas  of  which  have  fine  petals,  and  inside 
many  hairy  seeds  affixed  to  the  calyx — belong 
to  the  rose  genus.  A  genus  may  be  compared 
to  an  ordinary  family,  all  of  whom  bear  the 
same  surname,  though  each  person  is  distin- 
guished by  a  particular  specific  name.  The 
genus  is  constituted  by  the  presence,  or  absence, 
the  number,  figure,  proportion,  and  situation  of 
the  several  parts  :  in  fixing  on  these  it  was,  of 


34      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

course,  necessary  to  select  such  as  are  constant 
in  both  genus  and  species.  The  roots,  trunk, 
and  brandies,  may  all  furnish  specific  differ- 
ences, while  the  nectary  and  other  important 
rrgans,  are  selected  for  the  generic. 

L.  In  how  many  genera  are  these  100,000 
species  divided  ? 

E.  There  are  now  over  6000  genera  described. 

L.  Is  there  any  still  higher  mode  of  classifica- 
tion by  which  the  genera  are  combined  together  ? 

E.  Yes ;  into  orders,  and  these  again  com- 
bine to  form  classes.  Can  you  repeat  the  names 
of  the  different  divisions  ? 

L.  Species,  Genera,  Orders,  and  Classes. 

E.  That  is  right.  It  is  now  my  intention  to 
take  each  class  separately,  mention  how  ita 
orders  are  formed,  and  notice  some  of  the  flow- 
ers belonging  to  it.  I  will,  before  commencing, 
give  you  a  general  idea  of  the  Linnean  System 
of  Classification.  The  first  ten  classes  are 
known  by  the  number  of  single  stamens  in  a 
flower,  for  instance,  if  there  is  one  stamen  it  is 
in  the  first  class  ;  two  stamens  place  it  in  the 
second  class,  and  so  with  the  others,  until  you 
arrive  at  ten.  What  class  was  the  Pink  in  we 
analysed  ? 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      35 

L.  The  tenth  class.  How  very  easy  such  a 
system  is. 

E.  It  has  been  much  celebrated  for  its  ex- 
treme simplicity.  You  remember  the  meaning 
of  the  Greek  word  Andria  ?  to  this  is  added  the 
Greek  terms  of  the  numbers,  one,  two,  and 
three,  up  to  ten,  thus : 

1  MON- ANDRIA,  one  husband. 

2  DI-ANDRIA,  two  husbands. 

3  TRI-ANDRIA,  three  husbands. 

4  TETR-ANDRIA,  four  husbands. 

5  PENT-ANDRIA,  five  husbands. 

6  HEX-ANDRIA,  six  husbands. 

7  HEPT-ANDRIA,  seven  husbands. 

8  OCT-ANDRIA,  eight  husbands. 

9  ENNE-ANDRIA,  nine  husbands. 
10  DEC-ANDRIA,  ten  husbands. 

Many  of  these  prefixes  are  used  in  ordinary 
language,  as  monarchy,  dialogue,  tripod,  tetra- 
gon, pentagon,  hexagon,  heptarchy,  octagon, 
and  decimate. 

L.  I  can  remember  the  names  of  the  first 
ten  without  difficulty :  but  they  are  so  easy  I 
am  afraid  something  more  difficult  is  coming. 

E.  Not  so ;  you  have  already  mastered  the 
hardest  part.  The  remaining  classes  are : 


36      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLK 

11  DODEC-ANDRIA.  from  11  to  20  husbands. 

12  ICOS-ANDRIA,  20  or  more  husbands  affixed 
to  the  calyx. 

13  POLY-ANDRIA,  many  husbands  affixed  to 
the  receptacle. 

14  DIDYNAMIA,   four   husbands — 2   stronger 
than  the  rest. 

15  TETRADYNAMIA,  six  husbands — 4  stronger 
than  the  rest. 

16  MONADELPHIA,     one     brotherhood — hus- 
bands joined  in  one  set. 

17  DIADELPHIA,  two  brotherhoods — husbands 
joined  in  two  sets. 

18  POLYADELPHIA,  many  brotherhoods — hus- 
bands joined  in  more  than  two  sets. 

19  SYNGENESIA,  many  flowers  in  one — anthers 
united. 

20  GYN-ANDRIA,  husband  growing  from  the 
wife. 

21  MONCECIA,  husbands  and  wives  in  different 
looms  of  the  same  house. 

22  DICECIA,  husbands  and  wives  in  separate 
houses. 

23  POL YG AM  i  A,  mixture  of  the  two  preceed 
ing,  with  perfect  flowers. 

24  CYPTOGAMIA,  flowerless  plants. 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      37 

I  will  explain  them  more  minutely  as  we  pro- 
ceed. 

L.  In  what  manner  are  the  ORDERS  found 
out? 

E.  Those  in  the  first  thirteen  classes  depend 
on  the  number  of  pistils,  or  rather  stigmas,  as 
the  styles  are  often  wanting,  and  the  stigma 
rests  upon  the  germ.  As  the  pink  is  included 
in  this  number,  will  you  tell  what  order  it  is  in  ? 

L.  The  pink  has  two  pistils  and  is  conse- 
quently in  the  second  order  of  the  tenth  class. 
Do  they  prefix  the  Greek  numbers  to  them  as 
naming  the  classes  ? 

E.  Yes.  The  first  order  is  MONOGYNIA, 
the  second  DIGYNIA,  and  so  with  the  others. 
There  are  two  orders  in  the  14th  class ;  but  we 
had  better  defer  mention  of  them  until  we  come 
to  the  classes  themselves.  In  what  class  and 
order,  Laura,  is  the  Lily  that  is  in  this  vase  ? 

L.  The  sixth  class  and  first  order,  from  the 
six  stamens  and  one  pistil.  How  very  simple 
the  system  of  Linneus  is  ! 

E.  You  must  remember  it  is  not  a  perfect 
system,  by  any  means,  and  at  the  present  day 
used  but  as  an  introduction  to  a  far  more  per- 
fect one.  the  Natural  System,  in  contrast  with 


38      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

which,  that  of  Linneus'  is  called  Artificial.  But 
to  commence ;  here  is  a  collection  of  songs  of 
the  different  classes  modified.  The  different 
subjects  of  Flora,  or  the  Queen  of  Flowers,  are 
supposed  to  be  called  up  to  recite  their  different 
gathering  songs,  all  of  which  I  wish  you  to  com- 
mit to  memory.  And  now,  what  is  the  first 
class  ? 

L.  Monandria,  composed  of  plants  having 
but  one  stamen. 

E.  You  can  see  all  the  different  ranks  repre- 
sented in  the  first  plate  in  the  order  of  their 
classification.  A  glance  at  it  will  teach  you 
more  than  I  can  tell  you  in  a  long  time.  The 
few  plants  Monandria  contains,  generally  be- 
long to  the  warmest  climates,  as  the  Ginger 
and  Cardamon.  The  Canna  is  the  name  of  a 
genus  of  flowering  reeds,  found  native  in 
the  United  States ;  some  of  the  species  of  this 
genus  found  in  the  southern  continent,  are  emi- 
nently beautiful.  The  flowers  which  are  col- 
lected in  clusters  expand  gradually,  and  are  noted 
for  their  curious  appearance.  The  Arrowroot — 
Maranta,  and  Marestail — Hippuris,  belong  also 
to  this  class.  The  Salicornia  or  Glasswort, 
is  a  plant  commonly  found  in  England,  on  the 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      39 

muddy  shores  of  the  sea,  overflowed  by  the 
tide.  The  name  is  one  of  the  descriptive  words 
of  Linneus,  by  which  he  so  well  knew  how  to 
distinguish  the  plants  he  named.  It  is  derived 
from  sal  salt,  and  cornu  a  horn,  from  the  horn- 
like branches  and  saline  nature  of  the  plant. 
The  species  are  very  useful  by  yielding  a  great 
quantity  of  soda  for  the  manufacture  of  glass 
and  soap.  Now  Laura,  your  song. 

L.    SONG  OF  THE  MON-ANDRIAN  TRIBES. 

Flower  of  the  ocean  though  Nature  refuse 
Bright  tints  to  thy  blossom  or  fragrant  dews, 
Salicornia  we  name  thee  our  chieftain's  pride, 
And  honor  thee  still  for  virtues  tried. 

Frequenter  of  waters,  thy  curious  form, 
Hippuris  is  floating  in  sunshine  and  storm* 
Our  chieftain's  crest  is  the  Canna  flower 
With  Maranta  useful  in  sickness'  dark  hour. 

E.  The  next  class  is  Diandria  or  two  sta- 
mens. It  contains  a  more  numerous  collection 
of  flowers  than  the  first.  The  beautiful  Speed- 
well— VERONICA,  giving  us  all  the  different 
shades  of  blue,  and  adorning  neglected  places, 
road-sides,  and  ditches,  early  in  the  spring  and 
late  in  the  autumn  ;  the  blossoms  of  this  genus 
have  a  remarkable  tendency  to  fly  off  in  wet 


40       BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

weather.  The  Lilac — Syringa,  with  its  inimita- 
bly delicate  blossoms  and  fresh  odor.  The  Pri- 
vet— Ligustmm,  with  its  white  blossoms  forming 
such  an  elegant  ornament  to  the  fences,  and 
generally  found  in  company  with  the  Lilac. 
The  useful,  and  in  some  of  its  species,  resplen- 
dent Sage — Salvia,  its  different  leaves  varying 
from  a  hoary  wrinkled  appearance  and  oval 
shape,  and  very  odorous,  to  the  resemblance  of 
a  lyre,  and  without  scent.  Nuttall,  informs  us 
that  in  Florida,  is  a  species  with  scarlet  flowers, 
and  in  South  Carolina,  one  in  which  they  are 
a  bright  azure  blue.  The  most  splendid  and 
easily  cultivated  of  all  being  brought  from  Bra- 
zil, which  is  covered  in  the  fall  with  brilliant 
flowers,  even  the  calyx  and  stalk  being  of  the 
same  color.  The  sweet  Vernal-Grass,  said  to  be 
fragrant  as  a  Tonca  bean,will  finish  our  list. 

L.    SONG  OF  THE  DI-ADRIAN  TRIBES. 

The  Speedwell  flowers  from  hill  and  dale, 
The  Salvia  bright,  and  the  Privet  pale, 
With  Fragrant  Grass  we  bear  in  hand 
For  the  lad   who  leads  our  gallant  band. 

Fair  flowers  should  deck  fair  lady's  head, 
And  balmy  sweets  in  her  pathway  be  spread. 
O  noble  lady,  refuse  not  thou, 
The  wreath  of  Syringa  we  place  on  thy  brow. 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      41 

E.  We  come  now  to  Triandria,  or  three 
stamens.  It  is  here  we  find  the  great  tribes  of 
Grain.  Reeds.  Grasses,  and  Sugar  Canes.  The 
Indian  Corn  does  not  belong  here  with  the  rest, 
the  reason  of  which  you  will  find  as  we  proceed. 
Wheat  has  been  aptly  made  the  emblem  of 
riches,  for.  with  the  use  of  fire,  it  seems  to 
have  been  confided  to  the  care  of  man  to  secure 
him  the  sceptre  of  the  earth.  The  grains  most 
useful  to  man,  perish  when  they  have  matured 
their  seed  and  provided  for  his  sustenance  that 
year:  and  without  a  fresh  and  over-called-for 
renewal  of  his  exertions,  he  would  inevitably  be 
without  them  and  starve,  for  none  of  the  plants 
that  furnish  them  can  now  be  found  in  a  primi- 
tive or  wild  state.  There  are  times  when  food 
is  considered  much  more  valuable  than  all  the 
riches  in  the  world.  Will  you  read  this  anec- 
dote which  very  prettily  proves  my  position  ? 

L.  An  Arab  wandering  in  the  desert,  had 
not  tasted  food  for  the  space  of  two  days,  and 
began  to  be  apprehensive  of  famine.  In  pass- 
ing near  a  well  where  the  caravans  stopped,  he 
perceived  a  little  leather  sack  on  the  sand ;  he 
took  it  up  saying,  "  God  be  praised,  it  is,  I  think, 
a  little  flour."  He  hastened  to  open  the  sack. 


42      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

but  at  the  sight  of  its  contents,  he  cried,  "  How 
unfortunate  I  am !  it  is  only  gold  powder." 

E.  Without  the  plants  of  this  class,  the  land- 
scape would  be  destitute  of  beauty :  their  absence 
invariably  denotes  solitude  and  sterility.  It  also 
contains  many  splendid  and  valuable  flowers, 
some  of  which  are  noticed  in  the  gathering  song 
with  which  we  will  close. 

L.     SONG  OF  THE  TRI-ANDRIAN  TRIBES. 

The  Crocus  is  ours  with  its  petals  of  gold, 
For  us  does  the  7ns  her  banners  unfold. 
We  clothe  the  green  hill  and  the  verdant  dell, 
And  the  shepherd  loves  in  our  land  to  dwell. 
His  flock  in  our  boundless  pasture  he  feeds, 
And  his  cattle  graze  in  our  countless  meeds. 
Princess,  our  homage  to  thee  we  yield, 
And  hail  thee  as  Queen  of  the  forest  and  field. 


FOURTH  CONVERSATION. 

E.  Our  next  class  is  Tetrandria,  or  four 
stamens.  It  contains  many  natural  assem- 
blages of  plants,  some  of  which  are  noted  for 
usefulness,  some  for  curious  properties,  and  some 
for  beauty.  A  far-famed  plant  in  Jliis  class,  is 
the  Holly — Ilex,  an  ornamental  timber  tree. 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      43 

An  author  speaking  of  the  Holly,  says  that  the 
economy  of  trees,  plants,  and  vegetables,  is  a 
curious  subject  of  inquiry,  and  in  all  of  them 
we  may  trace  the  hand  of  a  beneficent  Creator. 
The  same  care  that  he  has  bestowed  on  his 
creatures,  he  has  extended  to  hollies  :  the  edges 
of  the  leaves  are  provided  with  strong  sharp 
spines  as  high  up  as  they  are  within  the  reach 
of  cattle;  above  that  height  the  leaves  are 
smooth,  the  protecting  spines  being  no  longer 
necessary. 

L.  I  remember  reading  some  poetry  on  the 
Holly,  by  Southey  the  English  poet :  shall  I  get 
the  book  and  read  it  to  you  ? 

E.  If  you  please,. Laura. 

L.        Oh  reader !  hast  thou  ever  stood  to  see 

The  Holly  tree, 
The  eye  that  contemplates  it  will  perceive 

Its  glossy  leaves ; 
Ordered  by  an  intelligence  so  wise, 
As  might  confound  the  Atheist's  sophistries. 

Below  a  circling  fence  its  leaves  are  seen 

Wrinkled  and  keen ; 
No  grazing  cattle  through  their  prickly  round 

Can  reach  to  wound ; 
But  as  they  grow  where  nothing  is  to  fear, 
Smooth  and  unarmed  the  pointless  leaves  nppenr. 


44      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

E.  The  Dogwood  Genus — Comus,  most  beau- 
tifully ornaments  our  woods  in  May  and  June. 
They  are  of  all  sizes,  from  a  few  inches  to  the 
height  of  small  trees  and  shrubs.  Willis  speaks 
of  toting  loads  of  dogwood  blossoms.  There  is 
a  remarkable  plant  in  this  class  which  you  may 
remember  my  pointing  out  to  you  last  March 
near  the  wood,  it  was  almost  covered  with  snow 
and  looked  somewhat  like  you  said,  a  huge  frog 
half  buried.  It  was  the  Skunk  Cabbage — Sym- 
plocarpus,  called  such  from  its  disagreeable  odor 
exactly  resembling  that  of  the  animal  from 
which  it  is  named.  The  Witch  Hazel,  is  an- 
other curious  plant  found  here,  noted  for  its  flow- 
ering late  in  the  fall,  when  its  leaves  are  falling 
off,  the  yellow  fringe-like  blossoms  being  devel 
oped  on  naked  branches.  The  Teasel — Dipsa 
cus,  is  cultivated  for  dressing  cloth  to  which  it 
gives  a  finishing  nap  ;  one  of  the  species  is  known 
as  the  Shepherd's  Staff.  With  the  yellow  flow 
ers  of  the  Ladies  Bed  Straw — Galium,  you  are 
acquainted,  as  well  as  the  Ladies  Mantle — Al- 
chemilla,  with  which  we  will  dismiss  the  Te- 
trandrian  Class  after  hearing  your  song. 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      45 

L.   SONG  OF  THE  TETRANDIAN  TRIBES. 

Thou  to  whom  our  vows  belong, 
Princess,  listen  to  our  song  1 

A  golden  couch  we  spread  for  thee, 
With  clustering  heaps  of  Galium  flowers, 

The  Shepherds  Staff  shall  be  our  spear 
To  guard  thee  in  thy  noontide  bowers. 

Our  Ladies'  Mantle,  while  we  sing, 
To  deck  thy  couch  we  humbly  bring ; 

And  woodland  CorneFs  flowery  boughs, 

We  bind  around  thy  snowy  brow, 
Thou  to  whom  our  vows  belong, 
Princess !  listen  to  our  song  ? 

E.  Our  next  is  Pentandria,  or  five  stamens, 
which  is  the  most  important  class  by  far  of  the 
twenty-four,  and  contains  alone  one-fifth,  at 
least,  of  the  flowers  in  the  vegetable  kingdom. 
Xot  only  does  the  number  five  prevail  in  the 
stamens,  but  most  generally  in  every  other  part, 
hi  the  plant  that  has  five  stamens  you  find  five 
petals,  five  sepals,  and  a  five  celled  seed  vessel. 
In  this  class,  much  more  than  in  the  others,  the 
necessity  of  a  natural  system  is  strongly  felt, 
and  it  is  here  in  fact,  the  learner  becomes  ac- 
quainted with  the  leading  features  of  that  sys- 
tem. 

L.  I  am  afraid  I  shall  become  confused  by 
such  a  mixture  of  classifications,  and  would 


46      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

rather  go  on  without  learning  any  thing  about 
it  until  I  understand  the  system  of  Linnaeus, 
which  we  are  now  studying. 

E>  On  the  contrary,  it  will  assist  you  very 
much  at  present,  and  so  far  from  confusing,  render 
your  ideas  more  clear.  One  of  the  natural 
groups  in  this  class  is  the  ASPERIFOLIA  of  Lin- 
naeus, or  rough -leaved  plants,  so  called  from  asper 
rough,  a.nA  folia  a  leaf.  In  this  family  you  can 
readily  distinguish  the  Borage — Borago,  with 
its  bright  blue  starry  flowers.  The  plant 
abounds  in  juice,  which  is  sometimes  employed 
in  medicine,  and  is  used  in  England  for  making 
a  cooling  drink.  The  Vipers  Bugloss-  -Echium, 
so  named  from  the  style  which  looks  like  the 
forked  tongue  of  a  snake :  it  is  often  called  Blue 
Weed  from  the  color  of  its  blossoms.  I  will  close 
the  account  of  this  somewhat  astringent  family, 
with  the  prettiest  flower  in  it,  the  forget  Me 
Not — Mysotis,  the  origin  of  whose  name  I  heard 
you  reading  the  other  day,  do  you  remember  it  ? 

L.  O  yes  !  a  lady  and  gentleman  were  walk- 
ing by  the  banks  of  a  river,  when  the  lady  ad- 
mired the  flower  at  some  distance  in  the  stream. 
The  gentleman  plunged  in  the  water  to  obtain 
it  for  her,  and  got  it,  but  his  strength  could  not 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      47 

carry  him  to  the  bank  against  the  current  of  the 
river,  and  he  had  just  time  to  throw  it  on  the 
shore  and  cry  out,  Forget  Me  Not,  before  he 
sunk  and  was  drowned.  The  flower  has  al- 
ways borne  the  name  of  Forget  Me  Not  since. 

E.  Another  family  of  this  class,  is  that  of  the 
Bindweed — Convolvulus,  which  takes  its  name 
from  a  word  meaning  to  entwine,  as  their  slen- 
der stems  twine  around  other  plants  to  enable 
them  to  support  themselves.  They  are  all 
known  by  their  bell-shaped,  plaited  corollas 
which  are  handsomely  colored  of  different  hues. 
The  Morning  Glory  is  one  of  them,  the  Sola- 
num -Potato  family  is  another,  which  includes 
the  Stramonium,  Ground  Cherry,  Henbane,  To- 
bacco, and  many  others. 

L.  The  potato  family  does  not  surely  include 
poisonous  plants  ? 

E.  It  is  itself  poisonous.  The  tubers  of  the 
potato  plant  which  we  eat,  are  merely  reservois 
of  nourishment  that  it  lays  by  for  itself,  and  the 
mealy  matter  of  which,  serves  as  food  for  us  as 
it  would  do  for  the  plant  if  left  alone.  What- 
ever poisonous  matter  is  found  in  the  tubers  is 
dissipated  by  the  operations  of  cookery. 


48      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

L.  Is  there  any  other  poisonous  plant  that 
can  be  used  the  same  way  ? 

E.  Yes,  a  number  of  them.  In  South  Ame- 
rica the  tuberous  roots  of  one  of  the  Hemlock — 
Conium  family,  are  eaten  like  the  potato,  and 
esteemed  quite  as  good. 

L.  Is  it  true  that  there  are  some  poisonous 
plants  which,  when  young,  can  be  eaten  without 
danger  as  table  greens  1 

E.  It  is ;  but  they  must  be  well  boiled  first 
Climate,  as  well  as  age,  in  a  great  measure, 
modifies  the  poisonous  properties  of  plants.  The 
Aconite,  so  poisonous  with  us,  is  eaten  in  Swe- 
den as  a  salad  to  create  appetite.  But  to  return, 
in  the  fifth  class  are  the  Honeysuckle  tribe — 
Caprifolium,  the  Umbrella-like  plants — Umbelli- 
fera,  as  the  Carrot.  Coriander,  Dill,  and  Anis 
Seed,  and,  to  conclude,  the  enumeration  of  the 
few  I  wish  to  bring  before  your  mind,  the  Silk 
Weeds  and  Violets.  Your  song,  Laura. 

L.  SONG  OF  THE  PENTANDRUN. 

Oh  talk  not  of  Araby's  spice  scented  gales, 
Come  wander  awhile  in  our  own  fertile  vales  ; 
Sweet  blossoms  are  springing  wherever  we  tread, 
And  the  woodline  is  hanging  its  wreaths  overhead. 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE       49 

Its  graceful  boughs  by  the  night  winds  are  bent, 
And  how  sweetly  they  give  out  their  fragrant  scent ! 
Say,  canst  thou  envy  Arabia  now, 
Or  ask  for  her  garlands  to  twine  round  thy  brow  ? 

Oh  talk  not  of  India's  rose  hung  bowers, 
And  the  hues  of  rainbow-tinted  flowers  ; 
Look  thou  on  our  rich  and  varied  store, 
And  envy  the  gardens  of  Gul  no  more. 

E.  We  now  come  to  Hexandria  or  six  sta- 
mens, which  Nuttall  styles  a  very  natural, 
though  varied  assemblage  of  plants.  With  a  few 
exceptions  the  plants  in  it  belong  to  the  great 
Mono-cotyledonous  class  of  the  natural  system. 

L.  What  does  Mono-cotyledonous  mean  ? 

E.  Mono,  you  are  aware,  is  the  Greek  term 
for  the  number  one  :  Cotyledon  is  a  word  deri- 
ved from  the  same  language,  meaning  cavity  ; 
its  exact  synonym  is  therefore  one  cavity.  When 
you  break  an  egg  you  will  notice  the  yolk  ;  this 
would,  if  allowed  to  be  hatched,  form  no  part  of 
the  future  chicken,  whose  form  begins  in  the 
white  ;  the  yolk  remains  in  its  body  to  serve  as 
a  means  of  nourishment  until  it  is  able  to  pro- 
vide food  for  itself.  Nature  expon  Is  no  less  care 
on  seeds,  which  are  in  truth  vegetable  eggs.  Be- 
sides the  embryo  of  the  future  plant  contained 
in  the  seed,  is  a  supply  of  nutritious  matter 


50      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

stored  in  the  cavity  of  a  leaf  to  supply  its  im- 
mediate wants  while  germinating;  hence  the 
leaf  is  called  a  Cotyledon  or  seed  leaf.  The 
object  in  placing  it  in  a  leaf,  is  for  this  leaf  to 
sprout  up  and  purify  or  prepare  the  root  for  the 
young  embryo.  When  but  one  leaf  is  observed, 
the  plant  which  is  springing  into  being  is  con- 
sidered as  belonging  to  the  Mono-Cotyledonon  - 
class ;  if  there  are  two  leaves,  to  the  Di-Cotyle- 
donous  class,  and  if  more  than  two,  to  the  Poly- 
Cotyledonous  class. 

L.  But  if  there  are  none,  how  are  plants  Avith- 
out  Cotyledons  named  ? 

E.  A — Cotyledonous,  meaning  literally  as  you 
observed,  without  Cotyledons.  One  of  the  Hex- 
andrian  class,  the  Lily,  has  already  been  men- 
tioned ;  of  that  genus  the  United  States  affords 
several  splendid  species ;  rivalling  the  Lily  in 
beauty,  and,  in  the  opinion  of  many,  far  more 
stately  and  gorgeous,  comes  the  Tulip,  which 
some  time  since  so  fearfully  turned  the  heads  of 
the  Dutch  florists,  that  particular  Tulips  are 
known  to  have  been  exchanged  for  farms, 
horses  and  carriages,  ships,  and  even  large 
estates.  The  Spiderwort — Tradescanti,  so  com- 
mon in  our  gardens,  with  its  beautiful  blue  flow 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      51 

ers,  is  also  here  with  the  Calamus  and  Hyacy- 
cinth.  The  white  bells  of  the  Solomon's  Seal — 
Convallaria,  the  edges  of  which  seem  to  be 
tinged  with  the  green  of  the  leaves  under  which 
they  are  found  peeping,  and  its  elegant  sister, 
the  Lily  of  the  Valley,  so  renowned  in  song  as 
the  emblem  of  purity,  are  also  in  the  sixth  class, 
and  then  we  have  the  Narcissus,  whose  history 
I  suppose  you  remember. 

L.  He  was  a  youth  who  looked  at  himself  in 
a  river,  and  was  so  delighted  with  his  own  beau- 
tiful image  as  to  fall  in  love  with  it.  He 
pined  away  inconsolably,  and  died  of  grief  at 
last.  When  his  friends  came  to  bury  him  they 
only  found  a  rising  stalk  with  yellow  blossoms 
crowned,  which  ever  after  bears  his  name  of 
Narcissus. 

E.  I  will  close  my  enumeration  by  mention 
ing  the  Bethlehem  Star — Ornithogalum,  which, 
like  the  Lily,  has  been  made  the  emblem  of 
purity,  and  whose  beautiful  star-like  blossoms, 
so  sweet,  pure,  and  agreeable,  -merit  the  distinc- 
tion of  its  name.  Its  flowers  are  white  as  the 
drifted  snow. 


52  BOTANY    FOR    YOUNG    PEOPLE. 

L.    SONG  OP  THE  HEXANDRIAN  TRIBES. 

Fair  blossoms  o'er  thy  path  we  fling, 
Narcissus,  peerless  flower  of  spring, 
And  the  Vale  Lily,  lo,  we  bring, 

O  Gallant  Chief 

With  Calcmus  we  strew  the  bower ; 
But  Bethlehem's  Star  shall  be  the  flower 
To  guide  us  through  the  darkest  hour, 

O  Gallant  Chief! 

With  mystic  rites  we  break  the  stem, 
Now  let  its  bright  and  silvery  gem 
Enrich  thy  silver  diadem, 

O  Gallant  Chief! 

E.  The  Class  Heptandria,  or  seven  stamens, 
is  comparatively  a  small  one,  and  the  plants  in 
it  afford  rather  imperfect  specimens  of  the 
class.  The  Horse  Chesnut — jEsculus,  is  here, 
which  comes  to  us  from  Mount  Find  us  in  Asia. 
Its  common  name  was  derived  from  a  custom 
of  the  Turks,  who  ground  the  nuts  of  the  tree 
and  mixed  them  with  corn  for  their  horses.  It 
gives  the  deepest  and  most  solemn  shade  of  any 
tree  which  is  known  ;  when  in  full  blossom,  such 
are  the  elegance  and  beauty  of  its  flowers,  that 
their  contrast  with  the  splendid  green  leaves 
has  caused  the  comparison  of  a  mountain  of 
ivory  and  emeralds.  The  only  other  plant  in 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      53 

the  class  with  which  you  can  at  all  expect  to 
become  acquainted,  is  the  Chickweed  Winter- 
green — Trientalis.  a  flower  common  both  to 
Europe  and  America.  Our  species  has  longer 
and  narrower  leaves  than  the  European,  [t 
may  be  found  in  May  or  June,  the  time  when 
it  is  in  flower,  in  shady  woods  near  the  base  of 
trees.  In  Europe,  its  favorite  home  is  in  the 
Highlands  of  Scotland,  where  it  grows  abun- 
dantly, and  is  considered  by  botanists  as  one  of 
the  most  interesting  vegetable  productions  of  the 
district.  It  is  described  by  them  as  a  delicate 
little  plant  with  bright  green  leaves,  a  slender 
stem,  and  white  star-like  flowers.  The  brilliant 
white  flowers  become  tinged  with  pink  as  it 
fades,  and  its  black  seeds  are  embossed  in  a  cov- 
erinsr  which  resembles  the  finest  white  lace, 

O 

called  a  reticulated  tunic.  Linneus  distinguish- 
ed this  as  his  favorite  little  plant.  We  will 
leave  the  clas?  after  your  song. 

L.    SONG  OF  THE  HEPTANDRIAN  TRIBES. 

Lady  we  bring  thee  our  simple  flower: 

We  have  sought  it  in  vain  in  the  rose  hung  bower; 

On  the  sunny  bank  where  the  violet  blows ; 

O'er  the  wide  open  downs  where  the  wild  thyme  grows ; 

It  was  not  there  ;  it  was  not  here  ; 


54      BOTANY  FUR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

Then  we  followed  the  tracks  of  the  mountain  deer, 
And  turned  with  untiring  zeal  to  explore 
The  tangled  wood  and  the  Highland  moor. 
And  there  the  hermit  flower  was  seen, 
The  lone  and  lowly  Wintergrcen, 
Chief  of  tribes  but  few,  to  thee 
We  bring  our  prize  on  bended  knee. 


FIFTH  CONVERSATION. 

E.  The  chieftain  of  the  Class  Octahiiia, 
should  wear  a  forester's  dress,  as  it  is  to  the 
woods  that  most  of  its  tribes  belong.  The  Syca- 
more is  among  them,  waving  its  tall  branches 
close  to  the  sea-side,  and  but  little  affected  it  is 
supposed,  by  the  tall  spray.  There  are  great 
numbers  of  this  stately  tree  on  the  east  end  of 
Long  Island  ;  but  at  present  for  some  unknown 
cause,  though  they  formerly  flourished  well,  are 
decaying,  and  present  a  blighted  appearance. 
The  name,  which  means  a  wild  fig,  was  impro- 
perly given,  as  it  resembles  the  fig  but  veiy  lit- 
tle, not  even  as  much  as  its  brother,  the  Maple, 
which  tree  with  us  attains  a  height  of  fifty 
feet;  its  wood  is  useful  in  making  cups  and 
bowls,  but  its  principal  value  consists  in  the 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      55 

sweet  sap  it  possesses  in  such  abundance,  from 
which  Maple  sugar  is  made.  In  this  class  are 
the  heaths,  with  which  the  poor  of  Scotland 
make  their  beds ;  the  Merzereon,  whose  honey- 
ed flowers  are  among  the  first  to  regale  the 
bees  in  spring ;  and  the  Rosebay  Willow-herb, 
an  exceedingly  gay  flowering  shrub.  There 
are  many  berries  too,  pleasant  both  to  sight  and 
taste,  the  Bilberry,  and  Cranberry.  The  Tree 
Primrose,  a  genus  peculiar  to  our  continent,  of 
which,  in  the  United  States,  are  many  splendid 
and  curious  species :  the  flowers  are  all  either 
yellow  or  white,  and  open  only  in  the  evening 
after  sun-set.  The  Fuchsia — Ladies  Ear-drops, 
belongs  here,  as  does  the  Herb  Paris,  often  called 
in  England,  Tine  Love,  or  one  berry,  from  its 
single  green  blossom  and  black  berry  growing 
in  the  centre  of  four  verdant  leaves.  But  I  have 
said  enough  to  give  you  a  concise  idea  of  the 
class,  and  will  hear  your  song. 

L.     SONG  OF  THE  OCTANDRIAN  TRIBES. 

Like  bold  Robin  Hood  and  his  merry  men, 
In  the  good  green  wood  'tis  our  joy  to  roam, 

We  deepen  the  shade  of  the  forest  glen, 
And  our  branches  we  wave  round  the  peasant's  home. 


56      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

A  feast  of  sweet  berries  to  cheer  him  we  spread, 
When  he  comes  in  our  sylvan  shade  to  recline  ; 

The  Ht-atherwe  give  for  his  rustic  bed, 
And  the  Maple  bowl  for  his  honeyed  vine. 

We  enrich  the  young  shepherds  who  fly  to  our  bower, 
With  many  a  prize  for  their  favorite  maids, 

Aud  we  crown  our  gifts  with  the  True  Love  flower, 
Which  unfolds  its  green  leaves  in  our  forest  glades. 

E.  The  Class  Enneandria,  or  nine  stamens, 
contains  your  favorite,  the  Rhubarb ;  also  the 
Sassafras,  Camphor,  and  Cinnamon  trees.  The 
Alligator  pear  of  the  West  Indies,  belongs  here. 
It  is  a  very  large  fruit,  with  a  taste  like  butter, 
and  very  much  esteemed.  The  Butomus,  or 
flowering  rush,  is  in  the  ninth  class.  In  England 
this  superb  flower  is  so  much  admired  as  to  be 
called  the  pride  of  the  Thames,  its  rich  clusters 
of  rose  colored  blossoms  covering  the  tall  stem, 
present  a  beautiful  appearance  in  the  midst  of 
the  waters. 

L.   SONG  OF  THE  ENNEANDRIAN  TRIBES. 

Chieftain  for  thee  on  the  slender  spear, 
The  crown  of  Butomus  flowers  we  bear. 
By  the  sedgy  streams  of  the  deep  green  vale, 
We  dwell  with  the  summer  nightingale. 

She  flies  from  India's  sultry  groves., 
To  tell  us  sweet  tales  of  her  Eastern  loves, 
When  the  latest  notes  of  the  liquid  song, 
Are  floating  the  woodland  valleys  among. 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      57 

The  buds  of  the  roseate  flowers  expand 
As  if  waked  to  life  by  the  music  bland ; 
Princess  receive  from  the  nymphs  of  the  spring, 
The  Butomus  blossoms  thy  votaries  bring. 

L.  When  speaking  of  the  Class  Pentandria, 
I  noticed  the  fact  that  almost  all  the  flowers  had 
not  only  five  stamens,  but  five  petals  and  five 
sepals  ;  I  might  have  said  that  where  the  num- 
ber varied  it  would  be  most  probably  a  multiple 
of  five,  as  ten  or  fifteen.  The  same  rule  pre- 
vails in  other  classes,  where  you  have  three  sta- 
mens, there  will  be  generally  three,  six,  or  nine 
petals  and  sepals.  As  might  be  expected  from 
this,  the  different  classes  that  are  multiples  of 
each  other  have  considerably  affinity.  And  it 
is  so  between  this  class — Decandria,  or  ten  sta- 
mens, and  the  fifth  class.  The  American  Sen- 
na— Cassia,  is  here,  a  valuable  medicinal  plant ; 
though  a  larger  dose  is  required  of  it  to  produce 
the  same  effect  than  the  Senna  of  the  shops,  yet  it 
is  rapidly  supe reeding  the  imported,  and  we  will 
soon,  probably,  use  it  altogether  instead,  as  phy- 
sicians of  the  present  time  show  a  disposition  to 
rely  as  far  as  possible  on  the  resources  of  their 
own  country.  The  Pinks,  you  know,  are  in 
this  class,  as  are  the  Wintergreen.  Pipsisseway, 


58      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

and  Silene.  The  Poke  is  found  flourishing 
wherever  the  soil  is  good. 

L.  Yes  I  know  it  very  well ;  we  often  use 
the  berries  at  school  instead  of  ink. 

E.  It  is  one  of  those  plants,  which,  though 
poisonous  when  old,  can  in  its  young  state,  be 
boiled  and  eaten  without  danger  as  greens.  The 
berries  are  put  in  alcohol  to  make  a  tincture 
which  is  used  in  curing  rheumatism.  The  flow- 
ers of  the  Arbutus  add  greatly  to  the  beauty  of 
the  class.  It  grows  wild  in  the  south  of  Ireland, 
where  it  was  introduced  a  long  time  since,  and 
is  much  celebrated  by  the  Irish  poets.  Among 
the  rest  is  the  Wood  Sorrel,  which  is  spoken  of 
as  gem  of  a  plant,  so  beautiful  is  it  in  every 
part ;  its  almost  transparent  white  flowers  are 
marked  with  minute  purple  veins,  and  these, 
with  its  delicate  light  green  leaves  and  its  bright 
rose  colored  root,  fill  up  the  measure  of  its  at- 
tractions; from  it  oxalic  acid x is  made.  The 
Wild  Indigo — Baptisia,  is  a  very  common  plant, 
covering  the  waste  places  of  the  country  with  its 
yellow  butterfly-shaped  flowers,  from  July  to 
September.  It  derives  its  common  name  from 
having  formerly  been  employed  as  a  substitute 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      59 

for  Indigo.  Have  you  ever  heard  of  the  Venus' 
Fly  Trap? 

L.  Yes ;  the-,  plaiit  that  has  a  gum  spread 
over  its  leaves  to  tempt  flies  and  other  insects, 
which,  when  they  light  on  them,  close  up  directly 
and  crush  them  to  death  so  as  to  find  itself  in 
food. 

E.  That  is  in  our  present  class,  and  with  it, 
and  the  mention  of  what  is  considered  by  many 
as  the  most  beautiful  tribe  of  shrubs  indigenous 
to  America — the  Rhododendrons,  I  will  con- 
clude. The  species  have  flowers  of  red,  white, 
and  pink,  very  fragrant,  and  of  different  sizes. 
Some  are  evergreens,  and  others  have  the  leaves 
fall  off  in  the  usual  season. 

L.     SONG  OF  THE  DECANDRIAN  TRIBES. 

Spread  the  light  sail,  that  our  chieftain  may  rove 
Again  in  the  shade  of  the  ArbtUus  grove, 
That  decks  the  green  isles  in  Killarney's  lake, 
And  hangs  its  red  fruit  'mid  the  tangled  brake. 

Oh :  Arbutus  tree, 

We  pluck  from  thee, 
That  spray  that  forms  our  chieftain's  crest, 

With  thy  berries  bright 

As  the  rosy  light ; 
The  eun  gives  out  when  he  sinks  in  the  west. 


60      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

Through  enchanted  groves, 

Where  the  poet  roves, 
In  Araby's  fair  and  sunny  clime, 

He  sees  not  a  gem 

On  its  golden  stem, 
More  lovely  than  this  in  its  season  of  prime. 

E.  We  have  now  come  to  the  class  Dodec- 
andria,  or  from  11  to  20  stamens,  a  very  varia- 
ble class  indeed,  so  much  so  that  many  bota- 
nists have  abolished  it  and  distributed  the 
flowers  in  other  classes.  The  literal  ren- 
dering of  the  name  is  twelve  stamens.  Agri- 
mony is  one  of  its  genera ;  it  is  somewhat 
noted  as  a  medical  plant,  bearing  yellow  flowers 
in  June  and  July,  which  are  liked  by  many  for 
their  fragrance.  The  Reseda  is  the  most  im- 
portant genus  in  the  class ;  among  its  species 
are  the  Mignonette  or  little  darling,  which  though 
not  remarkable  for  either  beauty  or  scent,  is  yet 
universally  beloved — and  the  Dyer's  Weed,  a 
plant  of  great  use  in  dying  as  it  imparts  a  beau- 
tiful yellow  color  to  cotton,  woolen,  silk,  and  linen ; 
it  is  besides,  the  foundation  of  green  dye, 
which  it  is  well  known  is  not  a  primitive  color, 
but  composed  of  yellow  and  blue.  As  I  touch- 
ed on  this  class  merely  to  give  you  the  true  clas- 
sification of  Linneus,  your  song  will  dismiss  it. 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      61 

L.  SONG  OF  THE  DODECANDRIAN  TRIBES. 

In  desert  spots  and  chalky  dells, 
The  pale  Reseda  meekly  dwells, 
Yet  hid  within  her  petals  lie, 
Tints  that  with  Ophir's  gold  may  vie ; 
The  princely  banner  proudly  spread 
Above  the  courts  where  monarchs  tread, 
Gleaming  with  many  a  glorious  hue, 
From  this  pale  flower  its  splendor  drew. 

Let  none  behold  with  cold  disdain, 
The  simplest  blossom  of  the  plain ! 
Let  none  the  simplest  being  scorn, 
Though  humbly  placed  and  meanly  born ; 
The  lowliest  thing  may  have  the  power 
To  cheer  and  bless  the  loftiest  bower. 

Queen  of  the  Flowers,  thee  we  greet, 

And  lay  our  tribute  at  thy  feet. 

E.  In  the  Class  Icosandria,  or  twenty  sta- 
mens, as  its  Greek  name  would  signify,  the  num- 
ber ranges  from  seven  to  one  thousand,  and  of 
course  in  such  a  case  can  be  of  little  conse- 
quence. You  must  remember  that  in  this  and 
the  next  class  the  important  point  for  considera- 
tion is  on  what  part  of  the  flower  they  are  in- 
serted. Inconstancy,  of  the  number  and  the 
point  of  insertion,  are  the  really  valid  characters 
of  the  class.  The  number  generally  averages 
about  twenty,  and  the  stamens  are  inserted 
upon  the  sides  of  the  calyx. 


62         BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

L.  I  should  think  then  it  would  have  been 
much  better  named  by  a  word  compounded  of 
calyx  and  andria,  as  that  would  tell  its  real 
meaning. 

E.  Such  a  word  has  actually  been  suggested, 
and  in  more  than  one  instance  employed  by  emi- 
nent botanists.  In  this  class  the  tube  Cactus 
is  generally  first  mentioned ;  they  are  noted  for 
their  misshapen  trunks,  want  of  leaves,  and  gor- 
geous flowers,  which  shine  more  brilliantly  by 
the  unexpectedness  as  it  were,  of  the  display  in 
contrast,  to  the  stems  from  which  they  spring. 
The  Prickly  Pear,  which  is  found  on  the  Hud- 
son, is  one  of  the  species,  and  the  Night  Bloom- 
ing Cereus  another.  Do  you  know  any  thing 
about  the  last  flower? 

L.  Yes,  I  waited  up  one  night  to  see  it  open, 
which  it  did  about  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening, 
the  flowers  were  some  feet  around,  of  a  white 
color,  with  a  yellow  calyx.  Some  that  were 
with  me  compared  the  odor  to  Vanilla.  Before 
morning  they  closed  and  never  opened  again. 

E.  In  this  class  are  found  Plums,  Cherries, 
Peas,  Apples,  Raspberries,  Blackberries,  and 
Strawberries.  Almonds,  and  Peaches,  and 
Pomegranates.  The  Meadow  Sweet — Spirea- 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      63 

Ulmaria,  often  called  Queen  of  the  Meadows, 
the  regal  plumes  of  which  are  described  as  con- 
sisting of  rich  clusters  of  cream  colored  haw- 
thorn-scented blossoms.  And  last  though  not 
least,  the  real  Queen  of  Flowers,  the  Rose 
genus  in  all  its  glory  and  magnificence. 

L.    SONG  OP  THE  ICOSANDRIAN  TRIBES. 

Pomona !  from  the  Vintage  Bowers, 

We  come  with  mingled  fruits  and  flowers. 

The  Strawberry  from  its  lowly  bed, 

We  pluck  before  thy  throne  to  spread ; 

With  the  Service-wild  and  the  woodland  Plum, 

Lo !  thy  faithful  votaries  come. 

From  the  glowing  Raspberry's  wavering  stem, 

We  gather  many  a  ruby  gem ; 

We  rifle  the  boughs  of  the  Cherry  tree, 

To  find  an  offering  meet  for  thee ; 

The  sweet  Ulmaria' s  fragrant  bloom, 

We  gather  to  form  a  regal  plume. 

And  o'er  these  proffered  gifts  we  throw, 
The  roses  that  around  us  grow ; 
The  matchless  Rose  whose  sweet  perfume, 
Outlives  its  fair  but  fleeting  bloom, 
And  breathes  around  the  faded  flower, 
The  odors  of  its  opening  hour. 

E.  Like  the  class  we  have  just  been  exam- 
ining, Polyandria,  our  present  one,  has  an  inde- 


64      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

finite  number  of  stamens,  varying  from  eleven 
to  eleven  hundred ;  consequently,  number  alone, 
as  in  Icosandria,  could  not  be  a  means  of  dis- 
tinction; that  is  given  by  the  stamens  being 
inserted  on,  or  growing  from,  the  receptacle  or 
base  of  the  flower.  By  analysing  the  flower 
you  can  at  once  tell  the  class  without  trouble. 
It  contains  a  great  number  of  flowers,  valuable 
for  fragrance  and  beauty,  as  well  as  medicinal 
properties.  The  Bloodroot  is  here  one  of  the 
earliest  spring  flowers.  The  rough  winds  of 
the  season  would  soon  destroy  it  were  it  not  for 
the  great  mass  of  leaves  that  surround  it  which 
fall  the  previous  autumn,  and  in  the  midst  of 
which,  in  bright  contrast  it  sends  up  its  lively 
white  flowers.  The  Poppy — Papaver,  is  the 
most  important  medicinal  plant  in  the  class ;  you 
know  how  opium  is  procured  from  it  ? 

L.  I  think  I  have  heard  ;  they  cut  the  plant 
and  collect  the  sap  which  flows  from  it,  and 
then  boil  it  down  to  the  thickness  required,  and 
that  this  dried  juice  is  the  opium  of  the  shops. 

E.  The  Clematis — Virgin's  Bower,  is  also 
here,  with  its  leaves  of  greenish- white  feathery- 
flowers  ;  the  Marsh  Marigold  with  its  rich  gold- 
en cups  that  open  in  early  spring ;  and  many 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      65 

species  of  Anemone,  among  which  the  Pasque- 
flower, and  Wood  Anemone,  rank  conspicuously. 
The  Peonies  Magnolias,  and  the  Tulip  Tree, 
help  to  form  a  splendid  array.  We  will  finish 
with  the  Sweet  Scented  Water  Lily.  It  has  a 
large,  round,  bright  green  leaf,  which  as  well  as 
the  flowers,  floats  on  the  surface  of  the  water  by 
means  of  the  air  contained  in  their  separate 
stalks,  both  of  which  spring  from  the  root. 
Many  efforts  have  been  made  to  catch  the  deli- 
cious odor  in  the  form  of  an  essense.  but  all  have 
failed.  Dr.  Smith  observes  that  these  splendid 
flowers  expand  in  sunshine  and  in  the  middle  of 
the  day,  only  closing  towards  evening,  when 
they  recline  on  the  surface  of  the  water  or  sink 
beneath  it ;  the  berry  gradually  decays  at  the 
bottom  of  the  water  scattering  its  seed  in  the 
mud.  The  stimulus  of  light  acts  on  the  flowers 
and  leaves  and  causes  them  to  rise  and  expand 
so  that  the  pollen  may  ripen  and  reach  the  stig- 
ma uninjured.  When  the  stimulus  ceases  to 
act  they  close  again,  drooping  by  their  own 
weight  to  a  certain  depth ;  lastly,  the  more  pon- 
derous fruit  finally  sinks  to  the  bottom. 


66  BOTANY    FOR    YOUNG    PEOPLE. 

L.  SONG  OF  THE  POLYANDRIAN  TRIBES. 

Chief  of  our  tribes  to  thee  we  bring 
Meet  offering  for  a  sylvan  king, 

As  thy  royal  diadem  ; 
The  Clematis  is  wrested  for  thee, 

Enriched  with  many  a  ruby  gem, 
From  the  glowing  Peony. 

Her   gift  the  assure  Pasque-flower  sends 
A  blossom  fit  for  courtly  bowers  ; 

Her  aid  the  bright  Papaver  lends, 
And  blends  it  with  her  scarlet  flowers. 

And  golden  Caltha  cups  we  bring, 
To  pledge  thee  in  the  flowing  tide, 

And  Ldllies  from  the  crystal  spring, 
And  Larkspur  from  the  mountain  side; 

Chief  of  varied  tribes  to  thee 

We  bring  our  gifts  on  bended  knee. 


SIXTH  CONVERSATION. 

E.  We  have  now  arrived  at  the  Class  Didy- 
namia,  so  named  from  two  Greek  words  mean- 
ing two  powers.  The  flowers  in  it  contain  lour 
stamens,  two  of  which  are  much  longer  than 
the  others,  and  hence  the  name  of  the  class, 
arising  from  the  idea  of  their  being  more  power 
ful.  Botanists  consider  the  inequality  of  the 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      67 

corolla  as  having  something  to  do  with  the  ine- 
quality of  the  stamens. 

L.  I  suppose  the  orders  in  this  class  are  not 
taken  from  the  number  of  pistils  as  in  the  first 
thirteen,  or  you  would  not  have  ceased  mention- 
ing them  at  this  place  ? 

E.  The  orders  in  this  class  embrace  natural 
assemblages  of  plants.  There  are  two  orders, 
the  first  of  which  is  Gymnospermia  or  naked 
seeded,  because  at  the  bottom  of  the  calyx  of 
each  flower  the  seeds  are  seen  apparently  naked, 
but  have  since  been  proved  to  possess  a  thin 
covering.  The  next  order  is  Angiospermia,  or 
seeds  with  a  covering. 

L.  But  as  both  have  coverings,  I  should  not 
think  the  names  of  the  orders  correct  ? 

E.  They  are  not  so ;  but  it  is  a  very  difficult 
thing  to  alter  a  name  once  given,  the  inconve- 
nience it  would  give  rise  to,  especially  in  botany, 
might  prove  very  great  indeed.  In  this  class 
are  found  most  of  the  labiatee  or  lipped  flowers, 
so  called  from  being  divided  at  the  top  into  two 
parts,  very  similar  to  the  lips  of  an  animal.  Of 
these  there  are  two  kinds,  the  ringent  or  gaping, 
and  personate  or  closed. 


68      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

L.  Then  the  Sage  should  be  in  this  class, 
its  flowers  resemble  lips. 

E.  It  would  be  were  it  not  that  it  had  only 
two  perfectly  developed  stamens ;  we  can  trace 
in  it  the  beginning  or  rudiments  of  two  more, 
as  if  Nature  had  at  first  designed  it  for  the  class, 
but  afterwards  changed  her  mind,  just  leaving 
enough  to  show  her  intention.  There  are  other 
plants  in  the  same  situation  as  the  Sage,  about 
the  whole  of  which  Linneus  remarked  that  the 
insects  who  mostly  visited  them  had  but  two 
perfect  wings,  the  rudiments  of  two  more  lying 
useless  and  concealed  under  a  little  membrane. 
This  fact  has  often  been  brought  forward  to 
show  the  harmony  of  nature.  But  to  return  to 
study.  What  is  the  first  order  in  this  class  ? 

L.  Gymnospermia,  known  by  the  seed  ap- 
pearing naked. 

E.  This  order  includes  the  labiate  corollas 
of  the  ringent,  or  gaping  kind,  they  most  in- 
habit places  exposed  to  the  sun,  as  hills  and 
vales,  and  the  great  majority  are  aromatic,  from 
which  by  distillation,  the  essential  oils  are  obtain 
ed.  In  this  order  are  the  Peppermint,  Laven- 
der, Marjoram,  and  Thyme,  the  last  of  which  is 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.       69 

celebrated  for  giving  the  remarkably  delicious 
flavor  to  the  honey  of  Hymettus.  The  wild 
Thyme  still  abounds  there,  and  the  bees  feast 
on  its  blossoms,  surviving,  as  Wordsworth 
tells  us,  all  the  revolutions  that  have  changed 
the  features  and  uprooted  the  population  of  At- 
tica. Though  the  defile  of  Thermopylae  has  be- 
come a  swampy  plain,  and  the  bed  of  the  Cephi- 
sus  is  laid  dry.  this  one  feature  of  the  country 
has  remained  unallered  : 

"  And  still  his  honey'd  store  Hymettus  yields, 
There  the  blithe  bee  his  fragant  fortress  builds, 
The  free  born  wanderer  of  the  mountain  air." 

It  has  been  remarked  of  the  Ringent  flowers  that 
they  are  never  poisonous,  many  of  them  on  the 
contrary  are  much  used  for  family  medicine,  as 
the  Pennyroyal.  Catnep.  and  Horehound. 

L.  Is  it  true  that  Cats  are  so  fond  of  Catnep. 

E.  Yes.  its  odor  makes  it  very  attractive  to 
them,  so  much  so  that  they  often  tear  it  up  and 
eat  it  with  much  greediness.  What  is  the 
second  order  in  this  class  ? 

L.  Angiospermia  or  covered  seeds,  which  are 
also  generally  contained  in  a  Capsule  or  little 
box. 

E.  In  this  order  are  found  the  labiate  corol- 


70      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

las  of  the  personate,  or  closed  kind ;  neither 
order  is  entirely  confined  to  the  labiatse,  and  in 
this  some  are  quite  open  and  regular,  having 
bell-shaped  and  funnel-formed  corollas.  None 
of  this  order  is  used  in  cookery ;  but  it  affords 
many  valuable  medicines,  among  which  the 
Fox  Glove  takes  the  first  rank,  the  common 
name  of  which  was  at  first  Fairy's  Glove,  from 
its  thimble-like  corollas.  A  poet  says, 

The  Fox-glove  on  fair  Flora's  hand  is  worn, 
Lest  while  she  gathers  flowers  she  finds  a  thorn. 

Here  is  also  the  magnificent  Trumpet  Flower, 
in  which  the  bill  of  the  dear  little  humming  bird 
is  often  found  buried.  The  Snap  Dragon  is 
another  curious  flower,  as  well  as  the  Painted 
Cup.  With  the  mention  of  the  Verbena,  we 
will  pass  on  to  the  next  class  after  your  song. 

L.      SONG  OF  THE  DIDYNAMIAN  TRIBES. 

Come  honey  bee  with  thy  busy  hum, 
To  our  fragrant  beds  of  wild  Thyme  come, 
And  enter  the  Snap  Dragon's  fragrant  bower, 
While  the  Humming  bird  sips  from  the  Trumpet 
flower. 

Come  honey-bee, 
We  spread  for  thee, 
A  rich  repast  in  wood  and  field, 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      71 

And  the  Marjoram  flowers 
Within  our  bowers, 
To  thee  their  nectared  essence  yield  ; 
Come  honey-bee  with  thy  busy  hum, 
Our  Mint  like  flowers  still  bid  thee  come. 


E.  The  next  class,  Tetradynamia,  contains 
flowers  with  six  stamens,  four  of  which  are  long 
and  two  short,  hence  arising  its  name,  the  class 
with  four  powers.  This  class  is  already  some- 
what known  to  you  from  containing  the  Cruci- 
form family.  Do  you  remember  the  character- 
istics of  this  family  ? 

L.  Yes  ;  the  petals  have  the  form  of  a  cross. 
I  have  been  examining  some  of  them  since  you 
told  me  of  their  powers  in  curing  scurvy  ;  the 
calyx,  I  find,  has  always  four  sepals,  and  the 
corolla  four  petals. 

E.  There  are  only  two  orders  in  this  class, 
distinguished  by  the  simple  circumstance  of  con- 
taining either  broad  or  long  pods  ;  the  pods  are 
receptacles  for  the  seeds  of  flowers.  The  petals 
are  generally  of  a  white  or  yellow  color,  very 
rarely  a  purple.  They  are  never  poisonous. 

The  first  order  is  Siiiculosae,  or  that  with  short 
or  round  pods.  The  Pepper  Grass  is  here, 


72        BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

which  you  must  remember  from  its  sharp  biting 
taste.  So  is  the  Shepherd's  Purse,  named  from 
the  peculiar  pouch-like  form  of  the  capsule, 
This  has  been  described  as  an  unsightly  annual 
weed,  with  but  little  to  recommend  it,  running 
only  too  quickly  over  neglected  gardens  and 
wastes,  and  has  made  itself  a  denizen  of  the 
whole  habitable  world.  The  Candy  Tuft, 
Cress,  and  Moonwort  or  Honesty,  as  it  is  some- 
times called,  are  in  this  order  also. 

The  second  order  is  Siliquosae,  or  that  with 
a  long  and  narrow  pod.  The  Wall  flower,  the 
most  beautiful  and  interesting  of  the  class,  is  in 
it.  We  are  told  that  the  minstrels  and  trouba- 
dours of  former  days  carried  a  branch  of  this 
flower  as  an  emblem  of  an  affection,  that  con- 
tinues through  all  the  vicissitudes  of  time,  and 
survives  every  misfortune.  It  loves  to  grow  in 
in  the  crevices  of  old  walls,  to  flourish  in  those 
of  ruined  towers,  or  ornament  the  mouldering 
tablet,  which  records  the  names  of  those  almost 
forgotten  by  sorrowing  relatives.  Here  is  also 
the  Radish,  Rocket,  Mustard  and  Woad,  an 
article  much  used  by  dyers ;  the  last  belonging, 
Nuttall  thinks,  much  more  properly  to  the  Sili- 
culosae. 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      73 


L.  SONG  OF  THE  TETRANDYAMIAN  TRIBES 

Blossom  of  the  time-worn  tower, 
Fragrant  Wall-Jtower  thee  we  bring, 

To  be  our  chieftain's  chosen  flower, 
And  round  his  paths  thine  odors  fling. 

Emblem  of  love,  sincere  and  warm, 

And  friendship  that  survives  the  storm. 

Oh  !  faithful  flower  'mid  grief  and  woe, 
Still  wreath  the  tempest  shaken  tower, 

And  on  the  mourner's  pathway  throw 
Thy  sweetest  scent,  thy  fairest  flower : 

Still  blossom  on  the  early  grave, 

And  o'er  the  scene  of  ruin  wave. 

E.  We  must  now  consider  the  brotherhoods, 
as  the  names  of  the  three  next  classes  signify. 
And  first,  Monadelphia,  or  one  brotherhood.  In 
this  class  are  included  all  those  flowers  that  have 
the  filaments  of  the  anthers  united  in  one  set, 
thus  forming  a  tube  at  the  bottom  of  the  corolla. 
The  orders  depend  on  the  number  of  anthers 
or  pollen  boxes. 

L.  You  cannot  then  have  an  order  Monan- 
dria,  it  would  be  in  the  class  of  that  name,  as  it 
takes  more  than  one  to  be  united  with  another. 

E.  Certainly  not ;  the  first  order  is  Triandria, 
in  it  is  the  Sisyrinchium,  which  is  common  in 
our  fields  and  meadows  about  midsummer ;  it 


m 

74      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

very  much  resembles  a  miniature  Iris,  from  its 
bright  blue  flowers  and  narrow  grass  like  leaves. 
The  next  order  in  it  is  Pentandria,  which 
contains  the  Passion  Flower  ;  this  is  a  climbing 
plant,  peculiar  to  the  warm  countries  of  the 
Weslern  Continent.  In  the  South  American 
forests,  its  long  and  many  times  woody  branches 
climb  up  to  the  tops  of  the  loftiest  trees,  and  send 
out  tendrils  from  one  to  another,  until  the  whole 
are  securely  bound  fast.  So  strong,  too,  is  this 
hold,  that  it  has  happened  that  a  tree  com- 
pletely severed  below  has  been  prevented  falling. 
Elevated,  or  trailing,  as  it  sometimes  does  upon 
the  ground,  its  flowers  surpass  any  thing  else 
in  nature.  The  superstitious  Europeans  that 
first  beheld  it,  observing  the  singular  appear- 
ance of  the  flower  having  ten  petals,  which  were 
fancied  by  them  to  represent  the  ten  Apostles, 
except  Peter  and  Judas,  one  of  whom  had  de- 
nied, and  the  last  betrayed  his  Master.  The 
stamens  were  compared  to  a  glory,  and  the  small 
purple  threads  at  the  bottom  of  the  style  to  a 
crown  of  thorns  ;  the  style  to  the  pillow  on  which 
the  malefactors  were  bound  ;  the  clasper  to  the 
cords,  and  the  palmate  leaf  to  the  hand ;  the 
three  divisions  at  the  top  of  the  style  were  the 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      75 

nails  ;  in  fine,  they  found  in  it  the  soldiers  who 
cast  lots,  and  every  thing  else  fancy  could  wish, 
even  to  the  three  days  in  which  the  Saviour  lay 
in  the  tomb,  which  is  the  time  that  elapses  be- 
tween its  opening  and  closing  in  its  native  coun- 
try. From  all  this  they  considered  it  created  at 
the  time  of  the  Saviour's  crucifixion,  and  thus 
commemorative  of  his  passion  or  suffering  to 
those  of  the  New  World,  who  could  not  other- 
wise see  it.  The  Storksbill  Geranium  is  also 
here. 

The  Geraniums  mostly  fill  up  two  orders, 
Heptandria  and  Decandria.  The  Order  Poly- 
andria  contains  a  great  number  of  splendid 
flowers,  comprising  a  large  natural  order,  much 
subdivided  by  modern  botanists.  In  this  place 
are  the  Hollyhocks,  to  which  all  the  rest  bear 
considerable  resemblance.  The  genus  Malva  is 
here,  as  also  the  Althea  or  Marshmallow,  and 
the  Sea  Tree  Mallow — Lavatera,  which  is  much 
cultivated  in  our  gardens.  On  the  rocky  coast 
of  England  it  is  described  as  unfolding  its  large 
purplish  red  blossoms  to  the  sea  breeze  from  its 
towering  stem  of  five  feet. 


•* 

76  BOTANY    FOR    YOUNG    PEOPLE. 

L.   SONG  OP  THE  MONADELPHIAN  TRIBES. 

We  come  the  highway  sides  to  grace, 

And  to  strew  the  banks  with  Maha  flowers 

With  gay  Geraniums  varied  race, 
We  have  decked  the  lanes  and  woodland  bowers. 

On  the  marsh  in  the  shade  of  verdant  hills, 
Her  blossoms  Althea  delights  to  rear, 

And  deep  in  her  green  retreat  distils 
The  healing  balm  to  the  shepherd  dear. 

Boldly  we  brave  the  blast  and  storm, 
Unmoved  by  ocean's  tempestuous  roar, 

While  fair  Lavatera  erects  her  form, 
And  hangs  her  wreaths  on  the  sandy  shore. 


SEVENTH  CONVERSATION. 

E.  The  61ass  Diadelphia,  or  two  brother- 
hoods, includes  all  those  flowers  that  have  three 
stamens  connected  at  the  bottom,  but  divided 
into  two  sets.  It  includes  a  great  natural 
order  which  Linneus  called,  from  the  butter- 
fly-shape of  the  flowers,  the  Papilionaceae,  from 
a  word  meaning  butterfly.  Here  is  a  Sweet 
Pea  blossom,  in  allusion  to  the  shape  of  which 
Keats  remarked : 

Here  are  Sweet  Peas  on  tiptoe  for  a  flight, 
With  wings  of  gentle  flush  o'er  delicate  white. 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.       /  / 

This  large  piece  on  top  covering  the  others  is 
called  the  standard  or  banner,  a;  you  will  notice 
as  I  take  this  off  how  it  is  inserted  by  a  project- 
ing part  into  the  side  pieces,  evidently  to  keep  it 
from  being  shaken  off  by  the  winds.  The  two 
side  pieces  care  now  exposed,  these  are  wings, 
you  see  how  strongly  they  are  inserted  with  the 
remaining  part  of  the  corolla,  evidently  for  the 
same  purpose  as  the  other.  All  that  now  re- 
mains is  the  keel  b  (carina)  of  the  boat  covering, 
the  stamens,  and  pistils.  Whenever  rain  ap- 
proaches, the  parts  successively  close  one  within 
the  other,  until  all  are  perfectly  protected  from 
the  storm.  The  stalk  that  sustains  the  flower 
is  very  slender  and  flexible,  so  as  to  turn  with 
the  current  of  air,  and  thus  present  its  back  to 
the  wind  and  rain. 

L.  Do  the  number  of  anthers  distinguish  the 
orders  in  this  class  ? 

E.  Yes.  The  Petalostemons  are  the  flow- 
ers, you  remember,  which  you  were  so  much 
surprised  at  in  retaining  their  colors  when  dried 
and  kept  for  years  in  the  herbarium.  They 
are  among  the  handsomest  of  preserved  flowers ; 
the  simple  low  clustering  stems  are  so  well 
shown,  and  the  cylindric  heads  of  pink  and  red- 


78      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

dish  purple  flowers  look  so  very  natural,  that  I 
do  not  wonder  they  often  occasion  surprise  when 
dried.  This,  as  well  as  the  Fumitory,  are  among 
the  first  orders.  The  curious  looking  Corydalis, 
often  called  Dutchman's  Pants,  is  also  here. 

But  leaving  these  for  more  important  plants, 
we  must  mention  the  Pea  and  Bean  tribes,  In- 
digo, Liquorice,  Gum  Arabic,  and  Tamarinds. 
The  Lupine  is  here,  about  which  Mrs.  Lincoln 
mentions  a  traveller's  story  of  the  Banks  of  the 
Nile,  being  visited  at  night  by  the  Hippopot- 
amus or  River  Horse,  a  large  animal  that  does 
great  damage  to  gardens  and  fields,  and  that 
the  inhabitants  destroy  him  by  placing  quanti- 
ties of  lupine  seeds  in  his  way ;  he  devours  these 
greedily,  but  they  soon  swell  in  his  stomach, 
and  produce  such  distension  as  to  cause  death. 

The  Furze  is  also  here,  as  well  as  the  Brooms, 
on  seeing  which  Linneus  fell  on  his  knees  in 
tears  and  prayed,  enraptured  with  their  golden 
beauty.  Last,  but  not  least,  in  this  class,  I  will 
mention  the  Milk  Wort — Polygala,  that  forms 
the  type  of  a  natural  family.  The  most  useful 
among  its  species  is  the  Seneka  Snake  Root, 
much  used  in  medicine,  and  one  of  the  ingredi- 
ents of  the  common  Hive  Syrup  of  the  shops. 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUN<;  PEOPLE.       79 

But  I  had  almost  forgotten  to  mention  a  very 
strange  plant  indeed,  the  Hedysarum  Gyrans,  a 
description  of  which  you  will  find  in  the  words 
of  Linnasus  himself  in  this  book,  and  which  you 
may  read  aloud. 

L.  The  moving  plant  i?.  as  Linneus  observed, 
wonderful,  on  account  of  its  voluntary  motion. 
No  sooner,  continues  he,  had  the  plants  raised 
from  seed  acquired  their  tenate  leaves,  than 
they  began  to  be  in  motion  this  way  and  that. 
This  movement  did  not  cease  during  the 
whole  course  of  their  vegetation,  nor  were 
they  observant  of  any  time,  order,  or  direc- 
tion ;  one  leaflet  frequently  revolved  whilst  the 
other  on  the  same  petiole,  was  quiescent ,  the 
whole  plant  was  very  seldom  agitated,  and  that 
only  during  the  first  year,  but  sometimes  most 
of  the  leaves  would  be  in  motion  at  the  same 
time.  This  motion  does  not  depend  on  any 
accidental  or  external  cause,  such  as  touching, 
heat,  cold,  light,  or  darkness,  for  they  will  neither 
excite  it  nor  prevent  its  continuance. 

SONG  OF  THE  DIADELPHIAN  TRIBES. 

Our  spendid  sails  like  the  butterfly's  wing, 

Are  gay  with  the  rainbow's  hues.  ' 


80      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

And  our  silvery  keels  sweet  odors  fling, 
As  they  sweep  the  morning  dews. 

The  treasures  of  gardens  and  cultured  plains 

We  bear  on  our  gallant  prows, 
Feast  for  the  flocks,  and  the  shepherd's  swains, 

And  plumes  for  regal  brows. 

Come  taste  our  sweets,  come  wreathe  our  flowers, 
While  the  sunbeams  gild  our  sails, 

For  we  fold  them  whenever  the  dark  cloud  lowers, 
And  tempt  not  the  stormy  gales. 


E.  The  Class  Polyadelphia  is  the  last  of  the 
brotherhoods  •  it  comprehends  all  those  flowers 
whose  stamens  are  united  by  their  filaments 
into  more  than  two  sets.  It  is  a  class  of  veiy 
little  importance  and  now  fallen  into  disuse,  its 
flowers  being  distributed  among  the  other  classes. 
Do  you  remember  what  the  other  class  was 
that  botanists  treated  in  the  same  manner  ? 

L.  Dodecandria,  or  from  eleven  to  twenty 
stamens,  placing  them  in  Polyandria  and  Icos- 
andria.  All  whose  stamens  were  inserted  on 
the  calyx  in  the  latter,  and  in  the  former,  those 
whose  stamens  were  inserted  on  the  receptacle. 

E.  As  the  characters  of  this  class  were  very 
inconstant,  they  thought  best  to  add  it  to  Poly- 
andria. As  I  before  mentioned,  its  orders  de- 
pend on  the  number  of  stamens.  The  Choco- 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      81 

late  and  Orange  trees  are  here,  with  the  far- 
famed  St.  John's  Worts,  which  were  formerly 
held  in  great  esteem  for  their  healing  virtues, 
but  have  now  fallen  into  disuse.  The  Druids 
used  them  in  their  incantations,  and  from  them 
superstitious  observances  have  descended  among 
the  poorer  classes  of  England  and  other  Euro- 
pean countries.  The  peasant  girls  in  Lower 
Saxony  have  a  superstitious  practice  of  gather- 
ing the  flower  on  midsummer  night,  and  prog- 
nosticating the  prosperous  or  adverse  fortune  of 
the  coming  year,  by  the  state  of  the  gathered 
branches  the  next  morning.  The  Welsh  also 
hold  this  plant  in  high  regard,  and  no  doubt  de- 
rive their  superstitious  reverence  of  it  from  the 
Druids,  who  tanked  it  amongst  their  sacred 
plants  and  made  use  of  it  in  some  of  their  mys- 
tic rites. 


L.  SONG  OF  THE  POLYADELPHIAN  TRIBES. 

Come  follow  Hypericum's  golden  star, 
It  will  lead  to  where  happiness  dwells  afar, 

With  nature  in  peaceful  shades ; 
It  will  lead  to  the  green  hills  flowery  brow, 
Or  by  hedge-row  paths  in  the  vales  below, 

Or  through  turfy  forest  glades. 
8 


82      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

Pluck  not  her  flowers  like  the  Saxon  maid, 
Nor  anxiously  watch  if  they  flourish  or  fade, 

By  the  moon  of  a  midsummer  night ; 
Nor  aloft  as  a  spell  hang  her  tassels  of  gold, 
Like  the  Cambrian  swain,  nor  like  Druids  of  old, 

Bid  them  wave  in  mystic  rite. 

But  follow  with  light  steps  the  golden  star, 
That  guides  you  to  treasures  more  sterling  far, 

Than  cities  or  courts  can  give ; 
Dear  nature  has  pleasures  in  every  hour, — 
Ah  !  love  her  in  youth  and  you  learn  her  power 

To  charm  you  as  long  as  you  live.  4 

E.  Our  present  class,  Syngenesia  or  flowers, 
with  a  union  of  anthers,  contains  a  great  num- 
ber of  the  vegetable  tribes  of  the  late  flowering 
kind,  mostly  blooming  sometime  in  autumn. 
What  were  the  characteristics  of  the  brother- 
hood or  delphian  classes  ? 

L.  A  union  of  the  filaments  while  the  anthers 
were  separate. 

E.  Exactly  the  reverse  of  that  is  the  case  in 
this  instance.  This  class,  however,  is  distin- 
guished by  the  compound  characters  of  its  flow- 
ers, several  hundreds,  and  even  thousands, 
being  on  the  same  stalk  next  each  other,  and 
giving  to  the  casual  observer  the  idea  of  a  single 
flower.  But  let  him  examine  closely,  and  he 
will  find  an  astonishing  number  of  perfect  little 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.       83 

flowers,  each,  in  most,  if  not  all  cases,  with  its 
calyx,  corolla,  stamens,  and  pistil.  It  seems  as 
if  nature  had  made  up  an  immense  number  of 
minute  flowers,  so  many,  indeed,  that  it  was 
difficult  to  find  stalks  for  all,  and  so  was  forced 
to  crowd  them  off  her  hands  in  bundles.  From 
this  circumstance  they  are  incorporated  into  a 
natural  order,  called  the  Compositae.  This  class 
contains  many  valuable  medicinal  herbs.  It 
has  five  orders : 

And  first  Polygamia  ^Equalis,  in  which  the 
florets  on  the  flower  are  all  perfect,  each  having 
five  stamens  and  one  pistil ;  and  producing  one 
seed,  such  are  the  Dandelion,  Boneset,  and 
Thistle.  Every  one  has  noticed  the  balloons  of 
the  Dandelion,  each  of  which  is  a  seed  with  its 
calyx  turned  into  a  light  chaffy  substance  to 
bear  it  away.  The  blue  flowers  of  the  Succory 
show  here  also. 

Secondly,  Polygamia  Superflua,  in  which  the 
florets  are  all  perfect  and  fertile,  those  of  the  cir- 
cumference having  no  stamens,  rather  filaments 
without  anthers,  hence  the  name  applied  to  the 
filaments ;  such  are  the  Tansy,  Wormwood, 
Starflower,  Coltsfoot,  and  Daisy,  about  which 


84       BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

last  John  Mason  Good  wrote  some  very  beauti- 
ful lines,  which  you  can  read  from  the  book. 

L.  Not  worlds  on  worlds  in  phalanx  deep, 

Need  we  to  prove  a  God  is  here, 

The  Daisy  fresh  from  winter's  sleep 

Tells  of  his  hand  in  lines  as  clear. 

For  who  but  he  that  arched  the  skies 
And  pours  the  daysprings  living  flood, 

Wondrous  alike  in  all  he  tries, 
Could  rear  the  Daisy's  purple  bud  1 

Mould  its  green  cup,  its  wiry  stem, 

Its  fringed  border  nicely  spin, 
And  cut  the  gold  embossed  gem, 

That  set  in  silver  gleams  within'? 

Then  fling  it  unrestrained  and  free, 

O'er  hill  and  dale  and  desert  sod, 
That  man  where'er  he  walks  may  see 

In  every  step  the  stamp  of  God. 

E.  Polygamia  Frustanea  consists  of  radiated 
flowers,  the  disk  ones  of  which  are  perfect,  but 
those  of  the  ray  almost  petals,  having  most  ge- 
nerally an  imperfect  seed  at  the  base,  from  hence 
the  name  denoting  its  being  frustrated ;  such 
are  the  Sun  Flower  and  Blue  Bottles — Cyanus. 

Polygamia  Necessaria  has  the  rays  fertile,  and 
those  of  the  disk  constantly  sterile.  We  are  told 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      &5 

they  may  be  easily  known  by  producing  its  seed 
principally  on  the  margins  of  the  disk.  Here 
are  the  Marygold  and  Leaf  Cup. 

Polygamia  Segregata  comprises  a  set  of  doub- 
ly compound  flowers,  each  one  having  a  double 
calyx,  one  common  to  the  whole  head  of  flow- 
ers, and  one  for  each  separate  floret  in  the  set ; 
such  are  the  Elephant's  Foot  and  the  Globe 
Thistle. 

L.  SONG  OF  THE  SYNGENESIAN  TRIBES. 

Though  we  boast  not  Triandrids  corn  and  grass, 
Yet  our  Thistles  feed  the  laboring  ass, — 
And  the  small  birds  rejoice  in  our  leafy  bowers, 
As  they  feed  on  the  seeds  of  the  Groundsel  flowers. 
With  us  the  Cerulean  Cyamis  is  seen, 
And  our  own  fair  Daisy  decks  the  green, 
And  the  Succory  opens  its  azure  eye, 
Beneath  the  light  of  the  summer  sky. 
Fair  are  our  flowers,  but  yet  more  fair 
Are  the  seeds  that  lightly  float  on  the  air. 
When  the  fading  blossom  has  lost  its  grace 
A  feathery  down  supplies  its  place  ; 
And  wafts  the  seed  on  the  passing  gale, 
To  its  rightful  home  on  the  hill  or  vale. 
These  winged  seeds  are  thickly  stored 

In  the  urn  of  the  purple  Salsify ; 
The  Colt's  foot  keeps  a  secret  hoard, 

And  in  the  Camomile  cups  they  lie. 
Chief  of  the  woodlands,  and  queen  of  the  meeds, 
Accept  our  fair  flowers  and  our  downy  seeds. 


86  BOTANY    FOR    YOUNG    PEOPLE. 


EIGHTH  CONVERSATION. 

E.  The  name  of  the  next  Class  Gynandria, 
or  union  of  stamens  and  pistils,  is  taken  from 
the  fact  of  the  stamens  in  its  flowers  really  grow- 
ing out  from  either  the  germ  or  style  of  the  pis- 
tils. When  the  stamens  cannot  be  counted 
from  their  indistinctness,  we  call  the  masses 
of  gluttinous  pollen  Pollinia.  The  orders  in 
this  class,  as  in  many  of  the  ones  we  have  been 
over,  are  taken  from  the  number  of  stamens. 

The  first  order,  Monandria,  contains  the  Or- 
chis tribe  of  plants.  The  flowers  in  it  are  re- 
markable for  their  grotesque  appearance.  The 
Geraniums  copy  the  scents  of  other  plants,  as 
the  Rose,  Lemon,  Orange,  and  Balm ;  this  tribe 
does  the  same,  strange  to  say,  to  the  forms  and 
colors  of  animals,  and,  accordingly,  presents  us 
with  the  figures  of  flies,  spiders,  birds,  and  even 
men,  colored  to  the  life !  So  closely  does  the 
Bee  Orchis — Ophrys,  resemble  the  insect,  whose 
name  it  bears,  as  to  look,  at  a  very  short  dis- 
tance, quite  like  a  bee  hovering,  with  outstretch- 
ed wing,  over  a  flower.  But  very  few  bloom  at  a 
time  on  the  plant,  that  bears  it  so  that  the  illusion 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      87 

is  complete.  The  white  Helleborine — Epispactis, 
displays  its  spotless  blossoms  here,  as  does  the 
Neottia — Ladies'  Tresses,  of  which  we  have 
many  species  common  both  in  dry  sandy  woods 
and  wet  meadows.  They  come  out  in  fall,  and 
have  all  white  flowers  inclined  to  one  side,  and 
form  a  twisted  or  spiral  wreath.  The  Lily  Or- 
chis— Listera,  and  the  Arethusa,  which  is  not 
over  a  hand  high  whose  elegant  and  curious 
purple  flowers  may  be  seen  in  mossy  swamps, 
blossoming  in  June,  will  close  the  first  order. 

In  the  second  order.  Diandria,  is  found  the 
Ladies'  Slipper — Cypripedium,  great  numbers 
of  which  enliven  the  plains  of  Illinois,  and  are 
called  by  the  people  Indian  Moccasins.  These, 
as  well  as  the  wrhole  Orchis  tribe,  occur  in  rich 
shady  woods,  far  away  from  human  ken.  At 
one  time  their  cultivation  was  thought  impossi- 
ble, but  that  idea  has  proved  a  fallacy,  and 
considerable  attention  is  at  the  present  time  paid 
to  them. 

In  this  class  is  also  the  Silk  Weed,  Birth- 
wort,  and  Indian  Ginger,  but  we  will  now  pass 
on  to  the  next 


BOTANY    FOR    YOUNG    PEOPLE. 


L..     SONG  OP  THE  GYNANDRIAN  TRIBES. 

Jn  the  quiet  shades 

Of  our  forest  glades, 
The  fair  Epipactis  her  blossom  unfolds, 

And  the  Orchis  race 

Our  field  banks  that  grace, 
The  wandering  shepherd  with  wonder  beholds, 

In  our  pastures  green 

Ladies  Tresses  are  seen, 
In  our  woods,  Cypripedium's  purple  flower, 

And  Listera  there 

Her  nest  doth  prepare, 
And  bright  Arethusa  adorns  our  bower. 

With  insect  gems 

On  their  verdant  stems, 
The  Ophrys  tribe  in  our  borders  we  see, 

Queen  of  the  flowers, 

These  treasures  are  ours, 
And  we  bring  them  with  loyal  hearts  to  thee. 


E.  Monoecia  and  Dicecia  are  fashionable 
classes,  affecting  the  manners  of  the  higher 
ranks  in  the  old  countries ;  the  married  couples 
not  occupying  the  same  apartments.  In  Mo- 
noBcia,  or  one  house,  are  those  plants  which 
contain  stamens  and  pistils  in  separate  flowers 
on  the  same  plant. 

L.  And  it  is  for  such  flowers  you  said,  that 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      89 

some  think  the  nectary  was  added  to  tempt  bees 
to  distribute  the  pollen. 

E.  Yes ;  but  where  they  are  both  on  the 
same  plant  the  wind  alone  can  often  do  it,  even 
if  no  other  contrivance  in  the  flowers  was  dis- 
covered. In  the  class  are  included  a  great  va- 
riety of  the  forest  trees.  The  stately  and  ma- 
jestic oak  that  shoots  out  its  right  angled 
branches,  and  with  its  spreading  foliage  gives  an 
air  of  grandeur  to  the  landscape,  is  here,  with 
its  neighbours  the  Beech  and  goodly  Chesnut. 
The  Birch  that  will  endure  almost  any  degree 
of  cold,  creeping  up  even  beyond  the  pines  in 
the  polar  regions,  though  it  can  there  attain  but 
the  height  of  a  few  inches,  and  growing  where 
little  else  can  grow  in  the  English  marshes, 
Irish  bogs,  and  Scottish  peat  mosses.  This  ( 
beautiful  and  elegant  tree,  despite  its  rather 
humble  growth,  has  been  made  the  emblem  oi 
the  Highland  Clan  Buchanan. 

L.  Has  this  class  any  orders  ? 

E.  Yes ;  determined  by  the  number  of  sta- 
mens. As  might  be  expected,  many  of  these 
that  are  common  in  Scotland,  emblemize  the 
Highland  Clans  there,  thus,  the  Pine  is  the 
badge  of  the  McGregor ;  the  Box  of  the  Mackin- 

7 


90      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

tosh  and  the  Oak  of  Cameron.  The  Hazel 
Tree,  from  its  nuts,  you  are  no  doubt  well  ac- 
quainted with ;  it  never  attains  the  height  of 
a  timber  tree.  The  wood  it  produces  is  very 
useful.  Early  in  spring  it  hangs  out  its  curious 
fruit-flowers,  or  catkins,  in  which  the  bright 
crimson  dots  make  a  beautiful  appearence. 
Walking  Canes,  Fishing  Rods,  and  Charcoal, 
are  made  from  this  wood.  It  is  the  badge  of  the 
Highland  Clan  Colquhoun. 

Here  is  also  the  Mulberry,  upon  whose  leaves 
the  Silk  Worm  feeds,  as  well  as  Indian  Corn, 
about  the  dissemination  of  whose  pollen,  Flint 
says,  that  nothing  is  more  charming,  consider- 
ing it  the  most  beautiful  vegetation  that  any 
can  offer.  When  the  southwest  breeze  whis- 
pers, and  a  slight  humidity  inspires  a  voluptu- 
ous languor,  in  riding  by  these  noble  fields  of 
maize,  the  pollen  floats  along  the  forest  spikes, 
like  a  delicious  shower  of  aroma,  with  a  fra- 
grance more  delightful  than  ever  breezed  from 
the  spicy  fields  of  Araby  the  blest.  Then  the 
the  different  kinds  of  maize  growing  near  each 
other  are  intermixed  upon  the  same  ear.  What 
is  called  the  silk  of  the  ear  conveys  this  pollen 
to  the  kernel  and  fructifies  it.  When  there  is 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      91 

*0r'jJ. 

not  a  silken  thread  to  convey  the  pollen  to  the 
kennel,  the  grain  will  be  found  wanting.  The 
most  important  tree  in  the  class  for  food  is  the 
Bread  Fruit. 

The  Cat  Tail — Typha,  improperly  used  by 
some  people  for  filling  bed  ticks,  as  it  answers 
much  better  for  making  mats  and  seating  chairs. 
The  Sedge — Carex.  is  a  coarse  grass  of  little 
apparent  use;  and  as  we  have  said  enough 
about  the  orders  we  will  finish  with  the  Arrow- 
head- Sagittaria,  so  common  in  muddy  waters, 
and  mentioned  in  the  verses  you  like  so  much, 
called  Little  Streams,  and  the  Spurge — Euphor- 
bia. 

Little  streams  have  bowers  a-many, 
Beautiful  and  fair  as  any  ; 
Typha  strong  and  green  Bur  Rted 
Willow  Herb  with  cotton  seed ; 
Arrow  Head  with  eye  of  jet, 
And  the  Water  Violet, 
There  the  flowering  rush  you  meet. 
And  the  plumy  Meadow  sweet ; 
And  in  places  deep  and  stilly, 
Marble-like  the  Water  Lily. 


92      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 


£,.    SONG  OF  THE  MONOECIAN  TRIBES. 

Queen  of  the  Meadows  we  bend  to  thy  sway, 
And  gladly  our  sylvan  tribute  we  pay  ; 
From  the  flowing  stream  we  bring  to  our  chief, 
Sagittaria  flowers  with  their  arrowy  leaf, 
And  the  reed  like  Typha,  the  sceptre  fair, 
That  our  rural  Sovereign  delights  to  bear. 
Eupliarbia  we  bring  from  the  wild  sea  shore, 
And  the  sedgy  Carex  from  lake  and  moor. 
iv!          Nor  these  alone  our  treasured  store, 

For  our  l?eec/i-masts  fatten  tbe  forest  boar, 
We  have  Cameron's  Oak  and  McGregor's  Pine, 
And  Buchanan's  Birch  to  yield  us  wine, 
And  Highland  Hazel  of  bold  Colquhoun, 
While  Mackintosh  brings  the  box  for  a  boon. 

Queen  of  the  Meadows  we  bend  to  thy  sway, 
And  gladly  our  sylvan  tribute  we  pay ; 

E.  The  class  Dioecia,  or  Two  Houses,  con- 
tains those  whose  stamens  and  pistils  are  in  se- 
parate flowers  on  separate  plants;  the  orders, 
like  the  former,  depend  on  the  number  of  sta- 
mens ;  hence  there  is  but  little  difference  be- 
tween this  and  the  Monoecian  class,  it  contain- 
ing, like  the  latter,  many  forest  trees. 

Perhaps  the  most  remarkable  genus  in  this 
class  is  found  in  the  order  Triandria — the  Ficus, 
or  Fig,  noted  for  containing  the  flowers  within 
the  fruit.  What  is  commonly  termed  its  fruit 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      93 

is  only  a  large  hollow  pear  shaped  juicy  recep- 
tacle within  which  the  minute  flowers  and  seeds 
can  be  discovered  by  a  good  microscope ;  it  has 
a  small  orifice  on  the  top  with  a  kind  of  scaly 
valve.  It  was  formerly  supposed  that  the  pollen 
of  the  male  flowers  was  carried  to  the  stigma  of 
the  female  by  means  of  small  flies  that  may  be 
seen  fluttering  from  one  fig  to  another. 

L.  I  have  heard  a  description  of  that  before, 
and  it  has  been  adduced  as  showing  the  won- 
derful care  of  Providence. 

E.  That  the  flies  really  carry  the  pollen  has 
been  disputed.  In  hot  climates  the  fig  produces 
two  crops  of  fruit,  but  to  do  this  the  gardeners 
have  to  hasten  the  ripening  of  the  first  in  order 
to  leave  time  for  the  second  to  come  to  maturity. 
We  are  told  that  the  peasants  in  the  isles  of  the 
Archipelago,  where  the  first  abounds,  bring 
branches  of  the  wild  Fig  Tree  in  the  spring, 
which  they  sprinkle  over  those  that  are  culti- 
vated. 

L.  That  reminds  me  of  what  you  said  in  re- 
lation to  carrying  male  flowers  of  the  Date 
Tree  and  shaking  them  so  as  to  sprinkle  the 
pollen  over  the  stigma  of  the  female  to  ensure 
fruit. 


94      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

E.  Some,  however,  consider  the  cases  very 
different,  and  assert  that  the  only  use  of  these 
wild  branches  is  to  serve  as  a  vehicle  for  an  im- 
mense number  of  small  insects  called  Cynips, 
which  perforate  the  Figs  in  order  to  make  a  nest 
for  their  eggs,  and  the  wound  they  inflict  caus- 
ing considerable  irritation  and  excitement  which 
accelerates  the  ripening  of  the  fruit.  In  many 
cases  the  Fig  contains  perfect  flowers,  thougli 
in  most  they  do  not. 

Another  species  of  this  genus  i.?  the  Banyan 
Tree,  which  sends  forth  branches  that  falling  to 
the  ground  take  root,  still  remain  connected  with 
the  parent  trunk,  and  in  turn  send  out,  as  soon 
as  they  grow  old  enough,  others  that  follow  the 
same  example.  Each  tree  is  soon  a  grove  and 
continually  increases  in  size  and  numbers,  until 
some  are  known  to  be  large  enough  to  give  shel- 
ter to  seven  thousand  men.  The  leaves  are 
large,  soft,  and  of  a  lively  green,  and  the  fruit, 
a  small  Fig  of  an  agreeable  flavor,  which;  when 
ripe,  is  of  a  bright  scarlet. 

The  India  Rubber  Tree  is  of  the  Fig  tribe 
also,  it  exudes  a  milky  juice,  which,  when  dried 
and  darkened,  gives  it  the  name.  Nearly  allied 
to  this  is  Humboldt's  celebrated  Cow  Tree  that 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.       95 

exudes,  upon  making  an  incision,  a  great  amount 
of  a  cream-like,  wholesome,  and  nutritious  drink. 
But  I  must  leave  this  genus  to  mention  the 
Hopvine — Humulus,  and  the  Black  Briony— 
Tamus,  with  long  wreath-like  branches,  and 
shining  dark  green  leaves,  and  its  red  berries 
hanging  in  festoons.  The  Aspen  is  well 
known  by  the  constant  quivering  of  its  leaves. 
The  Yew  Tree,  noted  for  its  elasticity,  and 
hence,  used  for  making  bows  :  its  juice  is  poison- 
ous and  in  olden  times  the  arrows  were  dipped 
into  it  to  render  the  wounds  fatal,  they  might 
inflict.  The  Bay  Berry,  or  Sweet  Gale— My- 
rica,  whose  elegant  sprays  deserve  to  find  a 
place  in  a  lady's  wreath,  not  only  for  its  beauty, 
but  for  the  delightful  fragrance  it  exhales  from 
its  berries  and  leaves  when  rubbed  between  the 
fingers.  In  some  places  the  people  make  beds 
of  its  twigs,  and  in  others,  scent  their  clothes 
with  its  leaves ;  the  poet  says : 

Gale  from  the  bog  shall  waft  Arabian  balm. 

I  will  dismiss  the  class  with  the  mention  of  the 
Willow,  Mistletoe,  and  Rafflesia.  the  last  the 
most  extraordinary  flower  known.  It  was  dis- 
covered in  the  Island  of  Sumatra,  by  Dr.  Arnold, 


96      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

in  1818,  and  called  by  him  the  magnificent 
Titan  of  the  vegetable  kingdom.  To  increase 
the  wonder,  it  is  entirely  destitute  of  roots  and 
leaves,  the  blossom,  the  like  of  which  the  mind 
of  man  had  never  conceived  the  existence  of, 
forming  the  entire  flower.  It  was  attached  to 
the  stem  of  a  grape  vine,  the  circumference  of 
the  full  expanded  flower  is  nine  feet,  its  necta- 
rium  calculated  to  hold  nine  pints,  and  the  pis- 
tils as  large  as  cows  horns ;  the  whole  weighing 
about  fifteen  pounds.  The  color  is  a  mottled 
yellow.  Since  that  time  other  species  have 
been  discovered  but  not  quite  as  large. 

L.  SONG  OF  THE  DKECIAN  TUBS. 

Princess,  we  lay  on  the  floral  shrine 

Light  wreaths  the  graceful  ffumulns  weaves  ; 

Our  northern  myrtle  with  these  we  twine, 
The  sweet  Myrica's  fragrant  leaves. 


The  dark  festoons  of  the  Tamus  cling 
To  the  silvery  willow's  bending  spray, 

Whose  blossom  like  down  from  the  cygnet's  wing 
Sheds  a  golden  light  on  the  vernal  day. 

The  pearly  tufts  of  the  Misseltot- 
With  many  an  evergreen  leaf  we  bind, 

And  the  Aspen's  slender  bows  that  throw 
Their  trembling  leaves  to  the  summer  wind. 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      97 

In  the  battle's  shock  our  tribe  has  stood 

Renowned  for  many  a  valorous  deed, 
And  our  faithful  bows  of  the  Yew-  Tree's  wood 

Shall  guard  our  Queen  in  the  hour  of  need. 


NINTH  CONVERSATION. 

E.  Polygamia,  or  the  class  of  many  mar- 
riages, consists  of  plants  with  stamens  and  pis- 
tils united  in  the  same  flower,  besides  others  in 
separate  flowers  having  a  different  structure. 
Like  Dodecandria  and  Polyandria,  modern  bota- 
nists have  totally  abolished  it  and  distributed 
the  flowers  among  the  other  classes.  To  say 
the  least,  it  is  an  extremely  inconvenient  one  m 
practice.  Its  orders  are  founded  on  the  preced- 
ing classes  Monoecia,  Dioecia,  and  a  third,  Trioe- 
cia.  Even  while  it  was  retained  the  genera 
continued  dwindling  down  till  the  Ginseng  and 
Orache,  or  Purselane,  were  the  principal  of 
vvhat  were  left. 


L.    SONG  OF  THE  POLYGAMIAN  TRIBES. 

The  silvery  Purslane's  simple  flowers 
An  humble  prize,  we  mostly  claim, 

We  have  no  roses  in  our  bowers, 
No  fragrant  blossoms  known  to  fame. 
Q 


yb      30TANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

Unknown  and  unadmired  our  race, 
Springs  up  and  blooms  and  fades  away, 

And  few  have  sought  our  resting  place, 
Or  watched  our  buds  from  day  to  day. 

Yet  in  the  simplest  blossoms  dwell, 
Such  proofs  of  power  and  wise  design, 

As  to  the  wandering  spirit  tell, 
The  hand  that  formed  them  is  divine. 

E.  Our  last  Class  Cryptogamia,  or  Concealed 
Marriages,  forms  in  itself  a  ground  division  of 
the  vegetable  kingdom.  In  all  the  flowers  in 
it,  neither  stamens,  pistils,  or  proper  seeds,  are 
recognisable  even  by  the  microscope  ;  a  different 
arrangement  prevails.  Their  propagation  is 
carried  out  by  means  of  sporse.  which  though 
confessedly  the  most  simple  of  all  organized 
bodies  have  appropriate  receptacles  provided 
for  them,  proving,  as  Nuttall  remarks,  the  exis- 
tence of  the  universal  law  of  nature,  that  with- 
out a  parent  mediate  or  immediate,  neither  ani- 
mal nor  vegetable,  in  whatever  part  of  the  scale 
of  existence  they  are  found,  can  possibly  have 
a  being. 

It  has  been  said  that  Linneus  having  arrang- 
ed the  plants  that  would  admit  of  classification, 
took  the  remainder  and  cast  them  into  a  heap 
together,  which  he  called  Crvptogeamous.  He 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      99 

found  it  impossible  to  arrange  this  class  in  any 
other  way  than  by  its  own  natural  affinities 
or  resemblances  pointed  out  by  nature,  of  these 
he  made  six. 

1st.  The  FERNS,  may  be  known  by  their 
plume-like  leaves,  which  are  called  fronds, 
being  of  one  continued  substance  with  the 
branch.  The  fructification,  or  fruit  making 
apparatus,  is  generally  on  the  lower  surface  of 
the  front,  in  the  form  of  round  or  oblong  dots, 
which  consist,  upon  being  placed  under  a  magni- 
fier, of  thick  clusters  of  very  small,  rather  flat,  cir- 
cular capsules,  which  at  first  are  whole,  but  after- 
terwards  burst  and  scatter  to  a  great  distance 
an  impalpable  powder. 

Here  is  found  the  Maiden  Hair,  about  which 
it  has  been  beautifully  remarked  that  botanists 
have  in  vain  sought  to  find  out  its  nature,  it 
having  seemingly  determined  to  conceal  from 
their  learned  researches  the  secret  of  its  flowers 
and  its  fruit.  It  confides  to  Zephyr  alone  the 
invisible  germs  of  its  young  family.  The  Crea- 
tor of  all  things  selects  the  cradle  for  its  child- 
ren ;  and  it  pleases  him  sometimes  to  form  a 
sombre  veil  with  their  waving  tresses  which 
ever  conceals  from  vulgar  gaze  the  cave  where 


tOO     BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

the  solitary  Naiad  sleeps,  and  where  she  has 
slept  from  the  beginning  of  ages  ;  at  other  times 
they  are  borne  on  the  wings  of  the  wind  to  the 
summits  of  lofty  towers,  or  the  tottering  rem- 
nant of  an  old  chateau,  where  they  shine  like 
verdant  stars ;  and  sometimes  disposed  in  light 
festoons,  they  adorn  the  retired  and  shady  spots 
which  shepherds  love.  Thus  this  wild  plant  is 
not  to  be  understood  by  science,  but  hides  its 
secret  origin  from  our  curious  enquiries.  It  is  the 
prettiest  of  all  ferns,  and  Pliny  states  that  though 
you  plunge  it  in  water  it  will  still  remain  dry. 

The  Royal  Osmund  or  Flowering  Fern,  is  an- 
other noble  and  stately  species.  It  is  most  com- 
mon in  our  dark  swamps,  on  it  the  capsules  are 
very  conspicuous.  The  Fragile,  a  most  elegant 
species,  is  also  here,  noted  for  its  extreme  brit- 
tleness,  as  also  the  Lycopodium,  which  Nuttall 
considers  the  most  elegant  and  curious  Fern  in 
the  United  States.  Some  of  the  species  of  Fern, 
in  tropical  countries,  attain  a  height  of  thirty 
feet.  The  number  known  amounts  to  near  a 
thousand,  which  are  all  most  abundant  in  moist 
and  shady  situations. 

2d.  The  MOSSES  are  little  herbs  with  distinct 
stems.  Mungo  Park,  when  travelling,  was  once 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.     101 

greatly  discouraged  by  the  difficulties  which  en- 
vironed him  on  a  distant  excursion,  and  was 
fast  sinking  under  his  troubles,  when  looking  at 
some  Moss  beneath  his  foot,  he  was  so  struck 
with  the  providence  of  God  exhibited  in  its  for- 
mation, that  he  resolved  never  to  despair,  know- 
ing that  the  same  kind  care  was  over  all  his 
creatures.  Exiled  from  cultivated  ground,  they 
advance  toward  barren  and  un  tilled  land,  cov- 
ering it  with  their  substance,  and,  thus  not  only 
furnish  a  beautiful  green  carpet  when  nothing 
else  can  be  seen,  but  also  when  they  perish 
lay  a  foundation  upon  which  larger  plants  may 
find  support.  You  know  Wordsworth's  lines 
on  the  Moss,  do  you  not? 

/>.        There  is  a  fresh  and  lovely  sight, 
A  beauteous  heap,  a  hill  of  moss 
Just  half  a  foot  in  height ; 
All  lovely  colors  there  you  see, 
AH  colors  that  were  ever  seen  : 
And  mossy  net  network  too  is  there, 
As  if  by  hand  of  lady  fair 
The  work  had  woven  been ; 
And  cups  the  darling  of  the  eye, 
So  deep  is  their  vennillion  dye. 
Ah  me  !  what  lonely  tufts  are  these 
Of  olive  green  and  scarlet  bright ; 
In  spikes  in  branches  and  in  stars, 
Green,  rod,  aud  pearly  white  ; 


102      BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

3i/.  The  LIVERWORTS,  which  are  thicker 
and  more  juicy  than  the  Mosses.  There  is 
some  dispute  on  account  of  the  origin  of  the 
name.  A  number  supposed  it  to  be  derived 
from  the  virtue  it  was  formerly  thought  to  pos- 
sess in  curing  diseases  of  the  liver,  and  the  rest 
think  it  arose  from  their  resembling  the  colors 
of  that  organ.  The  Juggemiannia  are  the  most 
common  plants  in  this  order. 

5th.  The  SEA  WEEDS,  a  name  that  needs  no 
explanation.  A  common  plant  in  it  is  the  Gulf 
Weed,  found  floating  in  the  Gulf  of  Florida, 
sometimes  forming  floating  fields  many  miles  in 
extent.  One  of  its  species,  named  the  Gigantic, 
is  said  to  be  over  six  feet  long ,  another  forms  a 
good  manure,  and  a  fourth  is  boiled  with  meal 
in  Lapland,  and  given  to  cattle  for  food.  On 
burning,  many  of  them  afford  an  impure  soda 
called  Kelp. 

5th.  The  LICHENS,  which  vary  in  texture, 
form,  and  color,  being  woody,  leathery  leaf-like, 
and  white,  green,  or  black.  Many  of  them  are 
exceedingly  useful  for  many  purposes  in  medi- 
cine and  dying.  They  mostly  resemble  trees 
in  miniature.  You  have  often  eaten  jelly  made 
of  the  Irish,  and  Iceland  Mosses. 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.     103 

6th.  The  MUSHROOM  tribe,  never  exhibiting 
any  appearance  of  green  herbage,  generally 
corky,  fleshy,  or  mould-like,  varying  in  form  and 
color.  All  are  of  quick  growth,  and  very  short 
duration  ;  they  grow  mostly  in  dark  and  under- 
ground situations. 

L.  Catsup  is  made  from  them  is  it  not  ? 

E.  From  some,  not  from  all,  for  many  are 
poisonous.  We  are  told  that  the  Ostiacks,  a 
Siberian  tribe,  make  a  preparation  from  one  of 
the  species  that  will  kill  the  most  robust  man 
in  twelve  hours.  Several  of  our  Mushrooms 
are  almost  as  dangerous,  as  there  is  a  liquid 
hid  within  them  of  a  nature  so  acrid  that  a  sin- 
gle drop  on  the  tongue  wTill  produce  a  blister. 
The  Russians  during  their  long  fasts  live  en- 
tirely on  this  tribe,  and  are  afflicted  in  conse- 
quence with  violent  convulsions  in  many  cases. 

L.  Is  there  any  method  by  which  the  good 
can  be  distinguished  from  the  bad  ?  if  not  I  will 
eat  no  more  Catsup. 

E.  Yes.  The  eatable  species  is  known  by 
its  convex,  scaly,  \vhite  cap,  or  head,  which  is 
mounted  upon  a  stalk.  The  whole  is  at  first 
covered  by  a  wrapper  that  bursts  by  the  sudden 
growth  of  the  upper  part,  and  in  many  cases 


104       BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

we  can  see  the  remains  of  it  in  the  form  of  a 
ring  below  the  head.  The  Tuber  Mushroom  is 
collected  for  food  in  Europe  and  Asia ;  it  is  round 
and  solid,  grows  above  the  ground,  has  no  root, 
and  when  old  becomes  warty  and  dark  colored. 
There  is  another  of  this  last  kind,  distinguished 
as  a  favorite  article  of  food,  and  by  growing 
under  ground.  It  is  described  as  being  as  large 
as  the  human  head,  resembling  much  a  Cocoa- 
nut,  and  covered  with  a  dark,  rather  woody-brown 
bark.  It  is  filled  with  a  fleshy  corklike  matter 
when  ripe,  simulating  in  color  the  flesh.  But 
we  have  had  enough  of  this  class  and  will  con- 
clude with  the  crimson  cup-like  form  of  the  Pe- 
ziza. 

L.    SONG  OF  THE  CYPTOGAMIAN  TRIBES. 

Chieftain  from  our  varied  store, 
What  tribute  shall  our  tribes  provide, 

We  have  gems  on  ocean's  shore, 
And  beneath  the  flowing  tide  ; 

And  many  a  precious  treasure  laid 

On  the  mossy  banks  in  the  forest  glade 

We  will  bring  our  gallant  chief 

The  waving  locks  of  Maiden-hair, 
And  Fragile  with  graceful  leaf 

For  lovely  dames  to  wear ; 
And  the  Royal  Osmund's  palmy  bough 
A  plumo  that  suits  a  warriors  brow 


BOTANY    FOR    YOUNG    PEOPLE.  105 

Chieftain,  to  thee  we  duly  bring 
Our  countless  gifts  from  land  and  sea, 

And  lo !  to  crown  our  offering 
The  nectared  draughts  we  pour  for  thee. 

Peziza's  lowly  daughters  bear 

In  their  ruby  cups  so  rich  and  rare. 

E.  We  have  now  finished  with  the  twenty- 
four  classes  of  Linneus.  Do  you  remember 
how  many  modern  botanists  make  of  them,  and 
what  are  the  rejected  classes. 

L.  O  yes !  there  are  twenty  one  left.  The 
Classes  Dodecandria,  Polyadelphia,  and  Poly- 
gamia,  being  distributed  among  the  others. 

E.  I  am  very  much  pleased  to  think  you 
paid  so  much  attention  and  have  remembered 
our  conversations  so  well.  You  can  now  tell 
the  class  or  order  of  almost  any  flower  you  meet 
with,  and  that  is  certainly  a  great  advantage. 
The  knowledge  you  have  acquired  is  a  letter  of 
introduction,  making  you  somewhat  acquainted 
with  all  the  members  of  the  vegetable  kingdom. 

L.  But  I  suppose  from  the  high  idea  you 
have  of  the  natural  system  that  it  will  teach 
much  more  than  merely  knowing  the  flowers. 

E.  Yes;  for  though  the  Linnean  system  is 
by  far  the  best  of  any  artificial  plan  known,  it 
is  in  many  respects  very  imperfect,  for  the  num- 

10 


BOTANY    FOR    YOUNG    PEOPLE.  106 

her  of  stamens  often  varies  in  the  same  species. 
You  will  often  find  Tulips  with  from  three  to 
eight  stamens. 

Li.  How  do  they  manage  in  such  a  case  ? 

E.  By  discovering  the  number  usually  found 
and  classing  them  accordingly.  Number  is  very 
little  to  be  relied  on.  but  it  is  still  that,  you  see, 
on  which  the  whole  system  is  based. 

L.  Then,  if  the  system  is  so  very  imperfect, 
why  did  you  take  such  pains  to  induce  me  to 
learn  it  ? 

E.  Without  understanding  it  you  could  make 
but  little  proficiency  in  botany,  for  the  majority 
of  the  works  written  on  it  are  based  upon  the 
Linnean  system. 

L.  What  is  the  great  difference  between  the 
two  systems  ? 

E.  That  of  Linneus  considers  only  the  organs 
of  fructification,  or  the  stamens  and  pistils,  while 
the  other  takes  the  most  important  parts  of  the 
plant,  the  fruit  and  seed.  But  you  must  re- 
member that  the  information  you  acquire  in 
learning  one  will  be  of  great,  use  in  studying 
the  other.  So  far  from  the  natural  being  a  per- 
fect system,  many  eminent  botanists  of  the  pre- 
sent day  have  used  the  former  in  preference. 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.     107 

The  truth  is,  as  I  remarked  to  you  before,  thai 
knowledge  of  species  is  the  important  considera- 
tion, so  much  so  that  it  is  asserted  that  no  one 
can  be  entitled  to  the  appellation  of  a  bota- 
nist until  that  person  has  dissected  and  gathered 
at  least  three  hundred  different  plants. 


TENTH  CONVERSATION. 

L.  Why  is  it,  Emily,  that  by  cutting  off  a 
slip  from  a  rose  bush  and  planting  it  I  can  have 
another  bush  as  large  as  the  first?  Does  the 
end  of  the  slip  begin  to  rot  and  then  turn  into 
roots,  merely  because  it  is  put  in  the  ground  ? 
I  remember  reading  a  fact  stated  in  a  book, 
which  said  that  it  made  no  difference  what  part 
of  a  plant  was  put  in  the  ground,  all  would  in 
such  a  case  equally  change  the  offices :  that 
if  a  tree  was  turned  upside  down  the  former 
roots  would  change  to  branches  and  bear  leaves, 
and  the  old  branches  and  leaves  turn  to  roots. 

E.  That  was  a  wrong  statement ;  but  to  ex- 
plain why  it  is  so,  I  must  take  a  somewhat 
round-about -way  of  making  you  understand 


108  BOTANY    FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

what  I  mean.  You  know  what  a  polypus  is,  I 
presume  ? 

L.  O  yes ;  I  have  many  times  cut  them  in 
pieces  and  the  separate  parts  became  distinct 
and  whole  animals.  I  have  besides  seen  them 
growing  out  from  one  another,  somewhat  like 
the  branches  of  a  tree. 

E.  That  class  of  animals  rank  the  lowest,  as 
might  be  expected,  in  the  Zoological  scale. 
Their  organs  are  veiy  simple,  and  of  course,  so 
are  the  functions  or  offices  of  these  organs. 
They  possess  sensation,  and  can  move  about, 
but  their  only  use  is  seemingly  to  imbibe  nour- 
ishment. A  great  many  polypi  are  generally 
together  in  one  body,  and  that  accounts  for  the 
separate  bodies  which  each  developes  for  itself 
when  cut  off  from  the  others.  They  resemble 
plants  in  that  particular  ;  you  cannot  find  a  sin- 
gle plant  or  a  single  polypus. 

L.  What  !  is  not  the  rose  growing  in  that  pot 
a  single  rose  ? 

L.  On  the  contrary,  it  consists  of  a  multitude 
of  them ;  there  are  thousands  of  life  germs  scat- 
tered through  every  part  that,  require  but  a  lit- 
tle irritation  to  excite  them  and  produce  an  active 
state  of  existence.  Cut  off  a  slip  of  your  rose 


BOTANY    FOR    YOUNG    PEOPLE.  109 

and  you  irritate  the  parts  and  excite  the  germs ; 
each  germ  sends  downward  a  root,  and  upwards 
a  stem,  and  you  thus  have  another  plant. 

L.  Then  I  suppose  when  the  tree  was  turned 
upside  down  the  irritation  was  sufficient  to  ex- 
cite a  great  many  germs  that  gave  out  roots 
below  and  ran  upwards  to  the  old  roots  to  form 
leaves  and  branches  alone. 

E.  Exactly  so ;  and  on  those  facts  are  found- 
ed the  theory  of  the  propagation  of  plants  by 
subdivision,  for  doing  which  there  are  three 
modes :  by  layers,  scions  or  slips,  and  grafts. 

L.  Still  I  cannot  exactly  see  why  producing 
irritation  and  exciting  them  should  be  sufficient 
to  cause  these  germs  to  grow.  It  appears  to 
me  that  planting  seeds  is  the  only  true  way  of 
raising  vegetables. 

E.  You  can  remember  in  one  of  our  previous 
conversations,  I  mentioned  Cotyledones  or  little 
cavities,  which  contained  nutritious  matter  for 
the  nourishment  of  the  young  embryo  or  life 
germ,  that  was  joined  to  each.  This  little  store 
of  matter,  answering  the  same  purpose  for 
the  future  plant,  as  the  yolk  of  the  egg  did  for 
the  young  chick.  Well,  the  principal  office  of 
seed  making  is  the  enclosing  of  a  little  embryo 


110     BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

in  a  case,  with  enough  of  food  proper  for  it  while 
germinating. 

L.  But  if  I  plant  the  seed  of  an  apple  it  will 
by-and-by  become  a  tree,  without  the  juicy  mat- 
ter that  is  around  the  seeds,  as  they  can  do 
without  it.  What  use  is  that  portion  ? 

E.  To  supply  the  wants  of  man.  Nature's 
first  object  is  to  secure  the  continuation  of  the 
species  by  careful  attention  to  the  preparation  of 
the  seed  apparatus.  When  that  is  done  she 
does  something  for  man,  but  never  before. 

L.  Are  there  other  instances,  except  in  the 
common  fruits,  where  she  bestows  such  atten- 
tion? 

E.  Many  ;  but  among  the  most  remarkable 
are  the  Silk  Weed  and  Cotton  ;  the  long  down 
which  surrounds  the  seeds  enclosed  in  the 
capsule  with  them,  answering  no  purposes  what- 
ever, except  for  the  uses  to  which  man  applies 
the  matter  their  separation. 

L.  You  were  going  to  explain  the  germina- 
tion of  the  embryos  by  irritation  ? 

E.  The  seed,  then,  is  merely  an  embryo  en- 
closed in  a  little  storehouse  of  food ;  putting  it 
into  the  ground  and  exciting  it  to  action— which 
action  it  is  enabled  to  sustain  on  account  of  the 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.     Ill 

supply  of  food — will  ensure  its  growth.  The 
germs  that  exist  throughout  the  plant,  are  of 
course,  destitute  of  this  supply,  or  the  seed  mak- 
ing process  would  be  unnecessary.  Now  to  en- 
sure the  sprouting  you  must  make  the  proper 
kind  of  irritation,  and  place  it  in  favorable  cir- 
cumstances to  answer  two  objects,  1st,  exciting 
the  germ,  2d,  giving  it  sustenance  while  germi- 
nating. 

Its  excitemennt  is  easily  produced,  but  the 
other  is  more  difficult.  It  is  a  law  of  vitality, 
that  if  any  part  of  a  living  body  is  excited  the 
vessels  carrying  fluid  to  that  part  will  become 
enlarged  and  carry  much  more  than  their  usual 
supply.  Causing  this  first  action  around  the 
germ  will  give  it  the  required  food,  and  thus, 
instead  of  perishing,  it  sprouts  forth,  and  is  either 
a  fresh  branch  on  an  old  plant,  or  forms  an  en- 
tirely new  one. 

In  order  to  make  a  layer,  we  are  directed  to 
bend  down  a  pliant  branch  without  separating 
it  from  the  plant,  and  fasten  it  in  the  ground, 
making  a  slight  incision  at  the  spot  where  it  is 
confined.  The  requisite  irritation  is  thus  pro- 
duced, a  flow  of  pure  sap  takes  place  towards 
the  part,  the  excited  germ  is  supplied  with  food, 


112     BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

the  ground  is  convenient,  and  the  germ  soon 
shoots  out.  There  are  several  creeping  plants, 
observes  De  Candolle,  which  propagate  them- 
selves in  this  manner  without  the  aid  of  man. 
Their  lower  branches  trailing  upon  the  ground, 
are  often  partially  covered  with  earth  washed 
over  them  by  rain,  and  if  in  the  operation  they 
are  slightly  wounded  by  friction  or  the  contact 
of  any  hard  substance,  such  as  gravel,  or  peb- 
bles, roots  strike  out,  the  connecting  branch 
with  the  parent,  being  deprived  of  nourishment 
by  the  rapacity  of  the  young  plant,  rots  and 
perishes ;  the  separation  being  thus  made,  and 
the  requisite  organs  developed,  the  layer  becomes 
a  new  individual  plant.  Most  Laurels  and 
Evergreens  are  propagated  by  layers,  which  is 
besides  the  method  used  in  Yineyards. 

L.  It  must  be  somewhat  on  the  same  plan 
that  the  Banyan  Tree  has  such  a  number  of 
offsets  from  it.  I  can  conceive  of  nothing  more 
simple  than  the  bending  of  the  branches  to  the 
ground  aiid  there  taking  root,  and  the  branches 
that  arise  from  them,  though  still  connected  with 
the  first  tree,  sending  out  others  in  the  same 
manner,  and  so  forming  a  forest  from  a  single 
slip. 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.     113 

E.  There  are  many  trees  whose  germs  are 
so  easily  excited  as  to  be  noted  for  their  extraor- 
dinary facility  in  sprouting.  No  matter  what 
part  you  put  in  the  ground,  a  root  will  take 
and  a  plant  be  produced.  We  are  told  that  the 
Willow,  Ash,  and  most  trees  of  white  wood,  are 
noted  for  this  readiness.  Pope,  the  celebrated 
poet,  chanced  one  day  to  be  present  on  the  open- 
ing of  a  package  which  came  from  Spain,  and 
observing  the  sticks  had  some  vegetation,  fancied 
they  might  produce  something  new  in  England. 
With  this  view  he  planted  a  cutting,  from 
whence  sprang  the  parent  of  many  of  the  finest 
and  most  admired  specimens. 

Mr.  Humboldt,  the  celebrated  naturalist,  tells 
us  that  while  travelling  in  America,  he  pro- 
vided himself  with  strips  of  coarse  patched  cloth, 
which  answered  the  purpose  of  baskets  in  con- 
fining the  earth  round  branches  from  which  he 
wished  to  make  layers.  He  adjusted  them 
round  the  branches  of  trees  in  forests  which  he 
intended  to  traverse  on  his  return  some  months 
afterwards,  when  the  germs  would  have  time  to 
sprout,  and  by  this  means  took  with  him  to 
Europe  a  number  of  curious  and  valuable  new 
plants. 


114  BOTANY    FOR    YOUNG    PEOPLE 

Grafting  is  accomplished  by  taking  a  portion 
from  one  plant  and  inserting  it  into  an  opening 
in  another,  in  such  a  manner  that  they  will 
unite  and  grow  together.  The  cut  branch  is 
called  the  graft  or  scion^  and  the  tree  into 
which  it  is  inserted,  the  stock.  Plants  of  the 
same  family  can  all  be  grafted  indiscriminateiy 
into  one  another,  a  circumstance  which  the 
Dutch  florists  take  Advantage  of,  for  they  make 
different  species  and  colors  of  roses  grow  on  one 
trunk,  and  thus  produce  a  beautiful  effect.  It. 
is  principally  done  for  the  sake  of  altering  the 
flavor  and  size  of  fruits.  We  might  continue 
this  subject  some  time,  even  to  the  multi- 
plication of  plants  by  seed  in  all  the  various 
methods  now  used  for  that  purpose ;  but  you 
can  pursue  this  part  at  your  leisure  tg  much 
better  purpose. 

L.  I  heard  a  beautiful  thought  yesterday  that 
struck  me  very  much,  which  was  that  no  child 
has  so  richly  ornamented  a  cradle  as  the  seed 
when  reposing  in  the  recesses  of  the  flower. 

E.  Beautiful  as  it  is  true  !  and  the  germ  that 
is  excited  to  action  loses  this  cradle  ;  but,  as  we 
have  come  again  to  the  seed  and  flower,  the 
beautiful  will  give  way  for  a  time  to  the  won- 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.     115 

derful,  when  I  inform  you  that  the  green  calyx 
slendidly  colored  corolla,  stamens  with  yellow 
anthers  and  pistil,  are  all,  in  reality,  nothing  but 
mere  leaves,  and  often  change  from  these  organs 
into  such,  when  circumstances  favor  such  varia- 
tion. 

L.  Can  it  be  possible  ! 

E.  Vegetable  physiology  is  much  more  sim- 
ple than  you  imagine,  and  by  a  little  examina- 
tion you  will  easily  perceive  the  truth  of  the 
fact  I  have  stated.  The  affinity  the  leaves  of 
the  calyx  have  to  the  common  leaves  of  the 
plant,  inasmuch  as  they  are  often  of  the  same 
color  and  shape,  and  always  perform  the  same 
office,  is  undisputed;  sometimes  the  calyx  is 
painted.  The  leaves  of  the  corolla  are  in  some 
instances  of  a  green  color,  which  fact,  with  va- 
rious other  matters,  needless  to  mention  here, 
proves  their  origin,  the  same  as  those  of  the 
calyx,  or  common  leaves.  The  stamens,  by 
excess  of  nourishment,  will  flatten  and  swell 
out,  becoming  blossom  leaves,  as  well  as  the 
pistil ;  now  and  then  a  second  flower,  with  ca- 
lyx, corolla,  &c.,  springing  up  from  the  centre 
of  the  first. 

L.  That  must  be  the  case,   I  suppose,  with 


116  BOTANY    FOR    YOUNG    PEOPLE. 

«  ft 

some  of  our  garden  flowers.  I  have  often  looked 
in  vain  for  the  pistils  and  stamens  in  our  roses, 
they  were  too  well  fed,  and  must  have  thought 
if  \ve  had  so  much  food  to  give  them,  we  were 
abie  to  afford  luxuries,  and  so  spent  the  material 
for  seed  in  beautifying  themselves. 

E.  Garden  flowers  will  rarely  answer  for 
botanical  purposes ;  wild  flowers  only  are  the 
ones  to  be  relied  on.  The  change  I  spoke  of 
in  relation  to  the  conversation  of  stamens  into 
pistils,  may  be  seen,  as  it  were,  taking  place  in 
this  monthly  rose.  On  the  outside  is  the  calyx, 
inside  this  a  great  many  petals,  as  you  ad- 
vance inward  you  see  filaments  with  petals  on 
them  instead  of  anthers,  and  still  further,  the 
regular  stamens,  and  in  the  centre  the  pistils. 

L.  I  understand  it  all  now  ;  this  monthly 
rose  is  a  perfect  instructor. 

E.  Gardeners  have  taken  a  hint  from  this, 
and  sometimes  when  they  have  found  fruit  trees 
bear  but  little  in  too  rich  a  soil,  made  the 
ground  poorer,  and  been  amply  rewarded  for 
their  pains. 

L.  There  were  no  stamens  in  that  case.  I 
suppose  they  had  all  turned  into  petals. 

E.  Or  the  tree  itself  become  enlarged   by  a 


BOTANY    FOR    YOUNG    PEOPLE.  117 

greater  number  of  branches  and  leaves,  for  bear- 
ing fruit  diminishes  the  number  and  size  of 
both,  besides  soon  wearing  out  the  tree. 

L.  I  should  think  the  more  fruit  it  bore,  the 
more  it  would  be  able  to  bear ;  when  it  was  in 
the  right  kind  of  ground  and  in  the  habit  of 
yielding  a  large  supply,  why  not  continue  ? 

E.  A  little  reflection  would  soon  show  you 
the  reason.  Though  immense  numbers  of 
germs  are  scattered  throughout  the  tree,  yet  they 
are  not  inexhaustable,  and  just  in  proportion,  as 
slips  are  taken  from  it,  will  the  number  of  seeds 
it  bears  in  each  fruit  diminish  ;  every  seed  di- 
minishes the  number  of  germs  left.  As  a  mat- 
ter of  course,  orchards  that  yield  large 'crops  of 
fruit  must  have  a  new  set  of  trees  every  few 
years. 

L.  The  Century  Aloe,  we  saw  some  time 
since  in  Broadway,  died  directly  after  producing 
its  flowers  and  fruit. 

E.  It  had  been  many  years  accumulating  the 
material  with  which  to  produce  them.  The 
Mexicans  take  advantage  of  this  and  remove 
the  juice  so  that  it  cannot  flower.  They  care- 
fully watch  the  plant  from  the  size  of  a  little 
cone  of  leaves  and  roots,  which  is  constantly  in- 


118     BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

creasing,  the  roots  sucking  up  nutriment  from 
the  soil,  and  the  leaves  elaborating  it,  until  there 
is  enough  to  produce  flowers ;  at  this  point  it 
has  an  enormous  size,  and  the  leaves  not  being 
so  much  required,  the  outer  ones  begin  to  wither : 
this  is  the  desired  sign.  It  is  tapped,  and  the 
great  amount  of  juice  that  comes  out  fermented, 
thus  making  an  intoxicating  liquor,  which  is  the 
common  drink  of  the  country.  When  allowed 
to  flower,  it  sends  up  a  central  flower-stalk  from 
eighteen  to  thirty  feet  in  height,  which,  in  turn, 
sends  out  over  three  thousand  flowers,  the  nec- 
taries of  which  distil  showers  of  honey. 

L.  Something  like  the  same  thing  happens 
with  the  Lilies  in  our  yard,  the  long  leaves, 
though  much  smaller,  resemble  those  of  the  Aloe, 
They  come  out  early  and  begin  to  work  a  good 
while  before  the  flower  stalks  come  up ;  after 
its  flowers  and  its  fruit  is  ripened,  the  stalks  fall 
down  and  decay,  but  the  leaves  continue  as 
fresh  as  ever,  working  until  the  frost  comes  and 
destroys  them. 

E.  Your  simile  is  a  very  good  one.  There 
are  three  kinds  of  plants :  the  Annual,  Biennial, 
and  Perennial. 

The  Annuals  all  come  up  from  seed  in  the 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.     119 

spring  ;  they  have  fibrous  roots  that  absorb  the 
nourishment  from  the  ground,  and  lay  up  a  lit- 
tle capital  or  accumulation  of  sap.  They  spend 
this  directly  in  flowering,  dying  in  autumn,  after 
the  seed  is  perfected.  When  required  for  medi- 
cinal purposes,  they  are  gathered  just  before 
flowering.  Some  farmers  do  this  with  their 
grasses,  and  so  much  nutriment  do  they  yield 
in  consequence,  that  they  surprise  their  neighbors 
by  fattening  their  cattle  with  them.  Peas, 
Beans,  and  Cucumbers,  are  annual  plants. 

The  Biennials,  as  their  name  denotes,  live 
two  years.  As  in  the  case  of  annuals,  they 
come  up  from  seed,  but  spend  the  first  summer 
in  laying  up  capital.  Early  the  ensuing  spring 
they  sprout,  sending  up  a  stalk  with  considera- 
bly rapidity,  and  producing  flowers  and  fruit, 
dying  directly  afterwards,  as  in  the  former  case, 
both  differing  from  the  Century  Plant,  mostly  in 
length  of  time.  Such  are  Onions,  Beets,  and 
Carrots 

Li.  Onions,  Beets,  and  Carrots !  why  we  take 
them  out  of  the  ground  every  year.  They  sure- 
ly are  annual  plants. 

E.  You  follow  the  example  of  the  Mexicans, 
in  waiting  till  the  store  is  accumulated  and  then 


120     BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

seizing  upon  it,  precisely  as  you  do  upon  the 
honey  which  the  bee  has  been  laying  up  all 
summer.  Man,  as  lord  of  the  earth,  makes  all 
things  serve  his  purposes.  Did  you  leave  the 
plant  alone,  and  some  are  always  left  for  seed, 
it  would,  as  I  mentioned,  sprout  up  and  bear 
flowers  and  seeds.  The  store  of  nourishment 
it  lays  up  causes  the  roots  to  swell  and  assume 
the  various  bulging  forms  in  which  you  see 
them. 

Perennials  do  not  begin  to  flower  until  they 
have  laid  up  considerable  capital,  and  then  do 
not  ever  spend  the  interest  of  it,  but  constantly 
add  to  the  store.  Such  are  Roses,  Lilies,  Oaks, 
and  Apple  Trees. 

Large  and  long  lived  trees  produce  but  little 
fruit  at  a  time,  and  that  always  of  a  small  size  ; 
the  little  Acorn,  for  instance,  is  produced  on  the 
Oak,  and  the  Walnut  on  the  Hickory ;  and 
the  gigantic  tree  of  Mount  Etna  is  a  Ches- 
nut,  with  quite  small  fruit.  Could  it  be  con- 
trived to  induce  them  to  yield  plenty  of  fruit, 
they  would  diminish  in  size  and  soon  die.  A 
more  effectual  plan  could  not  be  tried  to  sweep 
off  our  tall  forest  trees  from  the  earth.  So  that 
there  are  other  reasons  for  Acorns  growing  on 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.     121 

Oaks  and  Pumpkins  on  the  ground,  besides  the 
ones  given  in  the  story  you  told  me  you  had 
read  the  other  day.  Will  you  repeat  it  ? 

L.  Two  gardeners  once  beneath  an  oak, 
Lay  down  to  rest,  when  Jack  thus  spoke : 
"  You  must  confess,  dear  Will,  that  nature 
Is  but  a  blundering  kind  of  creature ; 
And  I— nay,  why  that  look  of  terror? 
Could  teach  her  how  to  mend  her  error." 
"  Your  talk,"  qouth  Will,  "  is  bold  and  odd, 
What  you  call  nature,  I  call  God." 
"  Well,  call  him  by  what  name  you  will," 

Qouth  Jack,  "  he  manages  but  ill." 
"  Nay,  from  the  very  tree  we're  under 

I'll  prove  that  Providence  can  blunder." 

Quoth  Will,  "  through  thick  and  thin  you  dash, 

I  shudder  Jack  at  words  so  rash ; 

I  trust  to  what  the  Scriptures  tell, 

He  hath  done  all  things  always  icell." 

Qouth  Jack,  "  I'm  lately  grown  a  wit, 

And  think  all  good  a  lucky  hit. 

To  prove  that  Providence  can  err , 

Not  words,  but  facts,  the  truth  aver. 

To  this  vast  oak  lift  up  thine  eyes, 

Then  view  that  acorn's  paltry  size 

How  foolish  on  a  tree  so  tall, 

To  place  that  tiny  cup  and  ball. 

Xow,  look  again,  yon  pumpkin  see, 

It  weighs  two  pounds  at  least,  nay  three  ; 

Yet  this  large  fruit,  where  is  it  found  1 

Why  nearly  trailing  on  the  ground. 

Had  Providence  asked  my  advice, 

I  would  have  changed  it  in  a  trice  ; 

11 


122       BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

I  would  have  said,  at  Nature's  birth, 
Let  Acorns  creep  upon  the  earth  ; 
But  let  the  pumpkin,  vast  and  round, 
On  the  Oak's  lofty  boughs  be  found," 
He  said — and  as  he  rashly  spoke, 
Lo  !  from  the  branches  of  the  Oak, 
A  wind,  which  suddenly  arose, 
Beat  showers  of  acorns  on  his  nose. 
"  Oh,  oh !"  quoth  Jack,  "  the  wrong  I  see, 
And  God  is  wiser  far  than  me ; 
For  did  a  shower  of  pumpkins  large 
Thus  on  my  naked  head  discharge, 
I  had  been  bruised  and  blinded  quite ; 
What  Heaven  appoints  I  find  is  right. 
Whene'er  I'm  tempted  to  rebel, 
I'll  think  how  light  the  Acorns  fell. 
Whereas  on  Oaks  had  pumpkins  hung, 
My  broken  skull  had  stopped  my  tongue." 


ELEVENTH  CONVERSATION. 

E.  Our  conversation  to-day  will  be  on  the 
adaptive  power  of  nature,  as  shown  in  the  ve- 
getable kingdom  and  her  various  contrivances 
for  preventing  the  extinction  of  her  children,  by 
the  dissemination  of  seeds.  You  have  noticed 
the  bursting  of  the  capsules  that  contain  the 
balsam  seeds,  have  you  not  ? 

L.  Many  a  time ;  when  they  are  fully  ripe 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.     123 

I  often  go  in  the  garden  and  touch  them  pur- 
posely to  see  them  burst  and  hear  their  loud 
cracking,  while  the  seeds  are  thrown  in  every 
direction,  as  if  from  the  mouth  of  a  little  cannon. 

E.  Another,  not  less  curious  instance,  is  in 
the  case  of  the  common  Dandelion,  each  seed 
of  which,  when  ready  for  planting,  is  furnished 
with  a  little  balloon  to  carry  it  off  to  another 
place ;  when  it  arrives  there  the  balloon  de- 
composes and  nourishes  it,  answering  the  double 
purpose  of  transport  and  food. 

L.  I  suppose  the  hooked  seeds  of  the  Bur- 
dock are  made  so  purposely,  so  that  it  may 
cling  to  any  passing  object  and  thus  be  carried 
to  different  places.  They  often  stick  to  me 
when  I  go  near  them,  and  I  have  seen  great 
numbers  on  the  wooly  backs  of  sheep  and  the 
hair  of  cattle. 

E.  The  wings  with  which  many  seeds  are 
furnished  often  carry  them  across  the  seas. 
Linneus  said,  the  seeds  of  the  Erigeron  were 
introduced  into  Europe  from  America  by  seeds 
wafted  across  the  Atlantic  ocean.  The  seeds, 
he  observed,  embank  upon  the  rivers,  which  de- 
scend from  the  highest  mountains  of  Lapland 
arrive  at  the  middle  of  the  plains  and  coasts  of 


124     BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

the  seas.  The  ocean  has  thrown  upon  the 
coasts  of  Norway  the  nuts  of  the  Mahogany 
and  the  fruit  of  the  Cocoa-nut  Tree,  borne  on  its 
waves  from  the  far  distant  tropical  regions, 
which  wonderful  voyage  has  been  performed 
without  injury  to  the  vital  energy  of  the  seeds. 

Seeds  are  very  tenacious  of  life,  so  much  so, 
that  those  taken  from  Egyptian  mummies,  which 
have  been  accidently  shut  up  in  the  process  of 
embalming,  have,  when  modern  research  has 
opened  these  mummies,  and  the  seeds  been 
taken  from  them  and  planted,  sprouted  and  pro- 
duced fruit. 

L.  The  squirrels  lay  up  their  winter's  store 
of  nuts  under  ground  ;  does  not  some  of  them, 
now  and  then,  take  root  and  sprout  ? 

E.  Very  often ;  in  fact  so  much  so,  that  the 
Indians  had  a  tradition  in  which  it  was  assert- 
ed that  these  animals  planted  all  the  timber  of 
the  country.  So  extensive  is  the  circulation  of 
seeds,  by  various  means,  that  climate  alone  forms 
a  limit  to  their  universal  diffusion  ;  this  last  is  a 
boundary  they  cannot  pass  with  life,  so  that 
each  kind  is  confined  within  eternal  although 
invisible  barriers. 

L.  I  have  been  reading  a  poem  by  Charlotte 


BOTANY    FOR     YOUNG    PEOPLE.  125 

Elizabeth,  on  the  Vallisneria,  a  plant  that  grows 
partly  under  water,  belonging  to  the  Class  Di- 
O3cia.  The  male  of  the  Vallesneria  has  a  long 
spiral  stem,  by  which  its  flower  is  at  all  times 
enabled  to  adapt  itself  to  the  surface  of  the 
water,  from  the  bottom  of  which  the  plant  shoots 
forth,  and  to  float  in  the  middle  of  tide  streams 
of  almost  eveiy  variation  of  ascent.  The  stem 
of  the  female  is  straight  and  much  shorter,  and 
is  consequently  only  found  in  shallow  waters, 
or  on  shores  where  the  tide  exerts  but  little  in- 
fluence. They  thus  live  remote  from  each 
other  and  yet  it  is  absolutely  necessary  that  the 
pollen  of  the  male  should  be  thrown  on  the  stig- 
ma of  the  female,  or  no  seeds  would  be  pro- 
duced, and  the  species  become  extinct.  The 
mode  by  which  this  is  done,  is,  as  Dr.  Good  re- 
marks, truly  wonderful  for  the  distance,  as  well 
as  the  water,  precludes  the  use  of  the  wind  or 
insects.  As  soon  as  the  male  flower  ripens  its 
pollen,  its  spiral  stem  dies  by  the  want  of  the 
nourishment  which  is  absorbed  by  the  flower,  so 
that  at  the  moment  of  its  perfection,  the  stem 
bursts,  and  the  flower  separated  from  it  sails 
from  shore  to  shore  in  pursuit  of  its  companion, 
for  the  most  part,  driven  by  the  current  of  the 


126     BOTANY  FOR.  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

wind  or  stream.  As  soon  as  it  arrives  within  a 
certain  range  of  the  female  it  obeys  a  new  in- 
fluence, and  is  instantly  attracted  to  her  in  spite 
of  the  opposition  of  both  wind  and  tide  —  a  fact 
that  has  been  proved  in  many  instances  ;  it  then 
showers  on  her  the  pollen,  and  having  fulfilled 
its  mission,  dies. 

E.  Will  you  repeat  the  poem  ? 


Offspring  of  the  waters  tell 

By  what  undiscovered  spell, 

Thou  art  taught  unmoved  to  rest 

On  the  waves  inconstant  breast  1 

When  the  rivers  gnshing  tide 

Rising  high  and  ranging  wide, 

Threats  with  overwhelming  force, 

All  that  needs  her  headlong  course, 

Still  appears  thy  fragile  head, 

Still  thy  flowers  the  wave  o'erspread. 

Though  the  stream  be  sucked  away 

By  the  summer's  thirsty  ray, 

'Till  the  meadow's  children  round 

Wither  on  the  parching  ground, 

Yet  thy  peaceful  cheek  I  find, 

On  its  liquid  couch  reclined  ; 

Whence  the  charm  concealed  and  strange, 

Suiting  thee  to  every  change  ? 

Lady,  he  who  bade  us  dwell 
Where  the  troubled  waters  swell; 
Lent  our  stem  a  spiral  power 
Precious  in  the  needful  hour, 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.     127 

Though  to  earth  our  root  be  given, 
Still  we  fix  our  view  on  heaven. 
When  the  tides  begin  to  rise, 
Nearer  we  approach  the  skies. 
How  can  waters  overflow, 
If  the  Lord  support  bestow  ? 
As  the  rolling  floods  retire 
Slowly  coils  the  living  wire, 
Still  contracting  while  we  sink 
Far  beneath  the  grassy  brink, 
All  unmoved  our  heads  can  rest 
On  the  streamlet's  shallow  breast ; 
Lady  how  can  we  be  dry, 
If  the  Lord  our  need  supply  ? 

Favored  flowret,  from  my  heart, 
Never  may  the  lesson  part ! 
Ne'er  shall  threatening  waves  of  wo, 
O'er  the  humble  Christian  flow ; 
God  can  bid  the  storm  be  still, 
Or  impart  the  needful  skill, 
In  confiding  strength  to  ride, 
Buoyant  o'er  the  furious  tide. 
Never  shall  the  streams  of  grace 
Fail  in  the  appointed  place, 
While  relying  on  His  word, 
Man  undoubting  trusts  the  Lord. 

E.  Dr.  Good,  mentions  a  plant  called  the 
Air  Flower,  from  its  curious  habits.  It  is  a 
native  of  Java  and  the  East  Indies,  beyond  the 
Ganges ;  and  in  the  latter  region  it  is  no  uncom- 
mon thing  for  the  inhabitants  to  pluck  it  up  on 


126  BOTANY    FOR    YOUNG    PEOPLE. 

account  of  the  elegance  of  its  leaves,  the  beauty 
of  its  flower,  and  the  exquisite  odour  it  diffuses, 
and  to  suspend  it  by  a  silken  cord  from  the  ceil- 
ings of  of  their  rooms,  where  from  year  to  year 
it  continues  to  put  forth  new  leaves,  new  blos- 
soms, and  new  fragrance,  excited  alone  to  life 
and  action,  by  the  stimulus  of  the  surrounding 
atmosphere. 

L.  How  I  wish  one  such  plant  adorned  our 
rooms.  Would  it  not  be  possible  to  get  one 
here,  and  by  tempering  the  air  in  the  house  so 
as  to  be  equally  warm  with  that  of  its  native 
home,  make  it  flourish  as  well? 

E.  It  might  answer  in  a  hot-house,  but  would 
not  in  common  rooms,  as  the  temperature  could 
not  possibly  be  retained  at  the  mean  point. 
Many  of  these  plants  are  so  fitted  for  their  own 
arid  fields,  that  juicy  as  they  are,  it  is  impossi- 
ble to  make  them  grow  in  any  but  sear  and 
parched  soils,  and  the  moisture  in  our  air  would 
most  certainly  destroy  them. 

An  instance  is  related  of  the  Solandra,  a  Ja- 
maica shrub,  which  was  long  propagated  in 
stoves  by  cuttings,  and  though  freely  watered, 
would  not  show  any  sign  of  flowering,  notwith- 
standing the  cuttings  grew  several  feet  in  length 


BOTANY    FOR    YOUNG    PEOPLE.  129 

«. 

every  season.  By  accident,  a  pot  with  young 
cuttings,  was  mislaid  and  forgotten  in  the  Kew 
Garden,  and  had  no  water  given  it,  it  was  there- 
by reduced  to  its  healthy  aridity,  and  every  ex- 
tremity produced  a  flower. 

There  is  another  plant  belonging  to  the  same 
place,  the  Brosimum,  whose  powers  of  enduring 
heat  and  dryness  are  still  more  extraordinary. 
When  the  grass  dies  and  the  soil  cracks  into 
chasms,  and  is  baked  into  brick  by  that  sun 
whose  face  is  never  obscured  by  a  single  cloud, 
it  is  then  Nature  comes  to  the  aid  of  the  sear 
and  parched  earth  by  giving  this  plant,  whose 
leaves,  as  a  writer  remarked,  have  the  property 
to  multiply  under  the  flowers  of  the  sky,  as  others 
have  to  grow  in  the  dew.  The  more  burning 
the  sky,  and  the  more  arid  the  earth,  the  more 
vigorously  its  leaves  unfold.  Under  its  abund- 
ant foliage,  both  man  and  cattle  find  shade  and 
food ;  its  grateful  fruit  gratifying  the  one,  and 
its  healthful  pasturage  supplying  the  other. 

L.  I  have  heard  it  remarked,  that  in  temper- 
ate climate  the  leaves  of  trees  are  apart  from 
each  other  and  light,  so  as  to  allow  the  sun  to 
shine  on  the  flowers  arid  trunk,  but  under  a 
torrid  zone  they  are  broad,  thick,  and  firm,  serv 


130     BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

ing  alike  to  shelter  their  own  flowers  and  trunk, 
as  well  as  travellers  and  animals. 

E.  As  you  advance  towards  the  poles  the 
leaves  diminish  most  remarkably  in  size,  dwin- 
dling down  to  an  exceeding  minuteness,  while 
in  the  torrid  zone,  flourishes  the  Talipot  of 
Ceylon,  a  single  leaf  of  which  is  sufficiently  large 
to  shelter  twenty  men  from  the  changes  of  the 
climate  in  which  they  dwell. 

Another  remarkable  peculiarity,  in  which 
plants  resemble  animals,  is  their  clothing.  In 
cold  climates  the  trees  have  a  warm  and  thick 
covering  of  fine  moss,  as  the  bear  has  of  fine 
fur ;  in  warm  ones,  on  the  contrary,  both  trees, 
men,  and  animals  are  naked. 

L.  I  should  think  also,  that  in  places  exposed 
to  great  winds  they  would  have  roots  sunk  very 
deeply  in  the  earth  to  prevent  their  being  torn  up. 

E.  Nature  is  always  careful  to  adapt  her 
children  to  the  dangers  that  surround  them,  and 
invariably  suits  their  abilities  to  their  circum- 
stances. The  Reed  has  flexibility  and  bends  to 
the  blast,  the  Oak,  vigoi  and  bravely  withstands 
it.  A  botanist  can  divine  at  a  glance  the  coun- 
try of  a  vegetable  that  is  placed  before  him.  He 
observes  its  structure  and  then  considers  the 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.     131 

climate,  or  locality  to  which  that  structure  is 
fitted. 

The  Heath  that  grows  on  the  stormy -Cape  of 
Good  Hope,  has  as  much  elastic  power  in  its 
stem  as  if  it  were  made  of  spring  steel,  and  so 
energetic  are  the  vital  powers  of  the  plants  in 
general  of  that  place,  that  Thunberg,  having 
carefully  taken  one  up  and  laid  it  on  a  stone, 
found  it  after  three  years  in  vigorous  health  and 
vegetating,  having  gained  some  inches,  deriving 
its  aliment  alone  from  the  moisture  and  coolness 
of  the  stone. 

L.  If  every  thing  in  nature  is  wisely  provided, 
and  has  its  uses,  I  should  like  to  know  of  what 
possible  benefit  to  man  are  poisonous  plants  ? 

E.  They  may  be  of  great  benefit  to  him  in- 
directly, by  feeding  the  animals,  as  I  formerly 
mentioned,  which  he  eats ;  you  must  remember 
that  what  are  poisonous  to  him  are  not  so  in  all 
cases,  to  other  animals. 

But  more  than  this,  some  writers  ascribe  to 
them  another  very  important  use,  that  of  puri- 
fying the  atmosphere  from  unhealthy  miasms. 
We  find  the  greatest  number  of  those  plants 
always  in  unheathy  natural  situations,  as  on 
the  borders  of  marshes  ;  and  as  they  abound 


132     BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

most  during  the  greatest  heats,  it  has  been 
surmised  that  Nature  placed  them  there  to 
absorb  the  poison  as  it  rose.  Near  Rome  are 
some  plains  over  which,  at  certain  seasons  of  the 
year,  it  is  death  merely  to  cross,  yet  all  this  time 
they  are  covered  with  the  balmiest  flowers  which 
scent  the  gales  that  pass  over  them,  with  the 
most  odorous  perfumes.  Wherever  corruption 
reigns,  says  a  writer,  Nature  begins  to  put  forth 
a  vigorous  vegetation,  and  scatters  flowers  to  con- 
ceal or  neutralize  it ;  and  to  create  vast  numbers 
of  noxious  insects  and  animals,  probably  by  ab- 
sorbing the  miasma,  to  restore  the  air  to  purity. 

L.  Yet  I  often  see  Stramonium  plants  grow 
ing  in  considerable  quantities,  especially  on  Man 
hattan  Island,  in   the  upper  part  of  the  city, 
where    there   are    no  marshes  and   it  is  quite 
healthy. 

E.  Instead  of  disproving  what  I  have  said, 
the  Stramonium  will  confirm  it  ;  the  greater 
part  of  the  ground  on  which  you  see  it,  is  of  a 
marshy  nature,  but  a  few  years  since  and  the 
greater  part  of  that  portion  of  the  city  was  cover- 
ed with  water,  and  has  since  been  filled  in  with 
earth,  and  the  Sound  channel  made  narrower. 
The  Stramoniums,  on  the  principle  which  I 


BOTANY    FOR    YOUNG    PEOPLE.  133 

have  stated  among  their  other  uses,  tend  to  make 
the  place  more  salubrious. 

Another  point  worth  attending  to  in  the  con- 
sideration of  poisonous  plants,  is  the  fact  that 
they  grow  in  places  remote  from  man,  in  unen- 
closed fields  and  marshy  swamps,  and  that  too, 
generally  in  formidable  singleness ;  while  those 
necessary  to  man,  grow  in  families,  and  near 
him,  as  potatoes,  palms,  bananas,  and  the  dif- 
ferent sorts  of  grain  ;  all  of  these  last  covering 
entire  fields  with  their  harvests. 

L.  The  editor  of  ANIMATED  NATURE  ILLUS- 
TRATED, makes  a  similar  remark  in  relation 
to  animals,  observing  that  all  destined  to  serve 
his  uses  and  pleasures,  are  gregarious,  or  are 
found  in  great  numbers  around  him,  as  the  com- 
mon fowls,  horses,  sheep,  goats,  and  rabbits ; 
while  the  destructive  animals,  as  the  lion,  tiger, 
leopard,  and  eagle,  live  far  from  him,  and  kave 
no  fellowship  even  with  their  own  kinds,  so  that 
they  are  few  and  far  between. 

E.  To  confirm  the  views  we  have  considered, 
it  is  noted  as  a  remarkable  fact,  that  in  cold  cli- 
mates, are  neither  poisonous  plants  nor  ven- 
omous animals.  Remove  them  to  the  north 
and  they  will  either  die  or  lose  their  noxious 


134  BOTANY    FOR    YOUNG    PEOPLE. 

qualities.  Haller  remarks,  that  the  Aconite, 
a  deadly  poison  with  us,  and  with  the  juice 
of  which  the  Gauls  bathed  the  points  of  their 
arrows  to  render  the  most  trifling  wound  inevi- 
tably fatal,  loses  its  envenomed  properties  as  it 
grows  further  north  and  is  even  eaten  in  Swe- 
den as  a  salad  to  create  appetite. 

By  examining  carefully  we  can  always  find 
either  a  means  of  cure  or  prevention  on  the  spot 
where  disorder  exists.  Acting  on  this  principle 
a  gentleman  who  had  observed  great  numbers 
of  Willow  trees  growing  by  a  marshy  brook, 
from  which  the  miasm  that  produced  fever  and 
ague  was  noted  for  its  injurious  effects,  thought 
that  in  the  willow  must  exist  a  curative  princi- 
ple. After  a  serious  of  experiments  he  found  he 
was  right  in  his  conjecture.  Since  then  a  salt 
has  been  extracted  from  the  tree  called  Salaciw, 
which  will  eventually  supercede  the  Quinine  or 
active  principle  of  the  Peruvian  bark. 

E.  Somewhat  similarly,  it  is  related  that 
an  Indian  of  Pern  who  labored  under  an  inter- 
mittent fever,  was  compelled  one  day,  by  exces- 
sive thirst,  to  drink  of  a  pool  of  water  he 
happened  to  meet  with  in  the  fields.  Though 
the  liquor  was  extremely  bitter,  the  draught  was 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.     135 

copious,  and  to  his  surprise  the  disease  returned 
no  more.  Others  affected  with  agues,  after 
hearing  his  experience,  tried  the  same  remedy 
and  experienced  similar  benefit. 

At  first  it  was  imagined  that  the  salutary  vir- 
tue was  dependant  upon  something  adherent 
in  the  water,  but  this  was  found  to  be  a  mistake, 
and  it  was  at  length  discovered  that  both  the 
bitter  taste  and  medicinal  efficacy  arose  from  a 
large  quantity  of  the  bark  of  a  neighboring  tree 
that  had  fallen  into,  and  was  infused  in  the  pool. 
The  tree  was  the  celebrated  Cinchona.  By  an 
easy  analogy  the  bark  itself  came  to  be  em- 
ployed, and  the  fever  curing  virtues  of  the 
remedy  were  soon  rendered  known  to  the  inha- 
bitants of  America. 

After  the  subjugation  of  Peru,  the  efficacy  of 
the  medicine  was  carefully  concealed  from  the 
Spaniards  ;  but  was  at  last,  in  an  hour  of  need, 
revealed  to  the  Governor  of  Loxa  by  an  Indian, 
in  gratitude  for  a  signal  obligation  formerly  con- 
ferred. Another  opportunity  was  not  long  want- 
ing of  trying  its  effect  on  an  European  constitu- 
tion. The  subject  of  experiment  was  of  high 
rank,  being  the  wife  of  the  viceroy  of  Peru.  Her 
disease  was  an  ague  under  which  she  had  nearly 


136     BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

sunk,  till  the  Governor  of  Loxa  hearing  of  her 
danger,  sent  her  a  quantity  of  the  new  remedy 
by  which  she  was  speedily  cured.  The  countess 
name  was  Chin  con,  from  which  the  bark  has  de- 
rived its  technical  appellation. 


TVVELTH  CONVERSATION. 

L.  I  have  been  thinking  that  as  the  grass 
tribes  are  mostly  annuals  and  require  seed  every 
year  to  keep  their  species  in  existence,  they  must 
gradually  diminish,  for  the  cattle  undoubtedly 
eat  up  the  plants,  seeds  and  all,  and  there  will 
come  a  time  when  the  whole  will  be  consumed 
and  we  shall  have  no  more  meat  on  account  of 
the  want  of  grass  to  feed  the  animals  whose 
flesh  furnish  it  to  us. 

E.  Instead  of  calculating  how  soon  such  des- 
titution would  take  place  you  would,  if  a  true 
naturalist,  look  for  some  contrivance  of  Provi- 
dence to  avert  such  a  dreadful  evil. 

Part  of  your  statement  was  incorrect,  you 
took  it  for  granted  without  much,  if  any,  exami- 
nation. The  cattle  do  not  eat  up  the  whole 


BOTANY    FOR    YOUNG    PEOPLE.  137 

plant,  watch  them  and  you  will  observe  that 
they  turn  aside  the  fruitful  stalk  and  select  the 
green  blade.  This  arrangement  uniformly  pre- 
vails on  plains  and  valleys. 

But  in  mountainous  districts,  where  the  chill 
temperature  is  not  sufficient  to  ripen  the  seeds, 
the  principal  grasses  that  abound  in  such  places 
are  those  that  increase  by  the  spreading  roots, 
and  are  in  a  measure  independent  of  seed. 

Li.  There  is  however  one  thing  I  cannot  pos- 
sibly see  the  use  of,  and  that  is  the  bitter  herbs 
we  so  generally  see  in  fields,  growing  among 
the  grass.  I  feel  so  sorry  for  the  poor  cattle 
which  must  necessarily  bite  them,  that  I  often 
tear  them  up  as  I  pass  along. 

E.  If  some  well-meaning,  though  ignorant 
person,  should  go  down  into  the  kitchen  and 
after  looking  around  collect  all  the  Sage,  Thyme, 
Mustard,  Onions,  and  salt  that  could  be  found, 
and  throw  them  away  for  the  purpose  of  oblig- 
ing you,  thinking  all  the  while  how  grateful  you 
ought  to  be  for  being  relieved  of  eating  such  dis- 
agreeable tasting  things,  what  would  you  say  ? 

L.  That  before  intruding  on  another's  prem- 
ises, and  meddling  with  their  things,  the  person 
should  endeavor  to  acquire  as  much  informa- 


138     BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

tion  as  possible,  for  without  that  a  great  amount, 
of  responsibility  would  be  incurred  without  doing 
any  possible  good.  Yet  I  cannot  conceive  of 
a  case  in  which  people  could  be  so  ignorant  as 
to  throw  away  the  seasoning  of  food  for  such  a 
silly  reason. 

E.  Yet,  on  precisely  the  same  grounds, 
you  entered  the  premises  of  the  cattle  and 
plucked  up  what  answered  the  same  purpose  to 
them  as  salt  and  kitchen  herbs  did  to  you.  You 
must  remember  that  God  takes  care  of  the  hap- 
piness of  every  living  creature,  and  that  a  work 
of  superogation  of  his  has  never  been  discovered. 

But  it  is  time  now  to  close  our  preliminary 
conversation,  you  know  quite  enough  to  com- 
mence botanising  without  farther  delay.  There 
is  one  thing  you  must  invariably,  when  possible, 
do  and  that  is  not  only  to  collect  a  specimen  of 
each  plant  for  examination  but  one  or  two  for 
preservation.  Taking  some  pains  to  adhere  to 
this  rule  will  ensure  you  in  a  short  time  a  va- 
luable Herbarium. 

•L.  How  shall  I  preserve  the  plants? 

E.  When  you  want  them  for  analysis  a  tin 
box,  with  a  tightly  fitting  lid.  is  the  best ;  they 
will  keep  for  a  number  of  days  in  this  way  by 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.     139 

occasionally  sprinkling  water  upon  them.  You 
can  use  the  box  I  employ,  for  this  purpose,  and 
it  will  be  seldom  empty  if  you  continue  study- 
ing botany  as  you  have  commenced.  Do  not 
forget  that  three  hundred  specimens  carefully 
analysed  will  rank  you  among  the  order  of 
botanists. 

For  your  herbarium,  a  different  course  must 
be  pursued  :  provide  yourself  with  as  many  old 
newspapers  as  you  can,  file  them,  and  between 
their  leaves,  some  pages  intervening  for  each 
plant,  place  your  specimens  ;  over  the  top  of  all 
lay  your  largest  atlas,  covered  with  enough  books 
to  make  it  quite  heavy.  The  paper  will  absorb 
the  mixture ;  taking  them  out  often,  and  expos- 
ing both  paper  and  plants  to  a  current  of  air, 
will  materially  help  the  drying.  You  can  easily 
tell  when  this  is  accomplished,  and  must  then 
transfer  them  to  your  blank-book.  Write  on 
each  page  with  the  flower,  the  class,  order, 
genus,  and  specific  name,  and  the  place  where 
you  found  it,  or  the  name  of  the  person,  if  a 
present,  as  well  as  the  location.  It  will  be  well 
to  have  a  regular  description  on  one  side  of  the 
page,  and  the  flower  on  the  other. 

L.  How  long  does  it  take  them  to  dry  ? 


140  BOTANY    FOR    YOUNG    PEOPLE. 

E.  From  a  couple  of  days  to  two  or  three 
weeks,  depending  of  course  on  the  moisture  they 
contain. 

L.  How  should  they  be  fastened  on  ? 

E.  Sewing  with  a  fine  needle  and  thread  is 
perhaps  the  best  plan.  Some  cut  the  paper 
itself  and  thus  form  loops,  others  use  glue  and 
paste.  To  defend  the  whole  against  insects,  it 
is  well  to  pass  a  brush  over  it  dipped  in  an  alco- 
holic solution  of  corrosive  sublimate, 

L.  I  noticed  in  your  herbarium  that  many 
of  the  prettiest  flowers  had  lost  their  color  and 
changed  to  black.  Is  it  so  always  ? 

E.  Often  among  the  blue,  red,  and  white 
colors  ;  yellow,  scarlet,  and  green,  are  rather 
more  durable.  To  give  you  an  opportpnity  of 
applying  your  knowledge,  I  will  pluck  this  flower 
and  wish  you  to  discover  its  name  by  its  charac- 
ters. Dr.  Thornton,  compares  a  person  engag- 
ed in  ascertaining  the  name  of  a  plant  to  one 
upon  a  botanical  journey,  the  plant  being  his 
directory.  If  he  can  read  the  botanical  charac- 
ters impressed  upon  it  by  the  hand  of  nature, 
he  will,  by  following  the  system,  soon  arrive  at 
his  journey's  end.  How  many  stamens  do  you 
here  count  ? 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.     141 

L.  Five.  It  is  in  the  fifth  class,  and  as  there 
is  but  one  pistil,  in  the  first  order. 

E.  We  will  suppose  the  directory  points  to 
New  York  State  by  the  class,  and  to  New  York 
City  by  the  orders.      We  will  next  find  the 
street  and  house,  which  we  can  do  by  the  cor 
responding  generic  and  specific  marks. 

L.  Why  this  must  be  exactly  the  plan  pur- 
sued at  the  Post  Office,  in  sending  ofT  letters  that 
are  directed  to  different  persons. 

E.  It  is.  Now  having  found  the  class  and 
order,  let  us  turn  to  the  list  of  genera  in  the 
first  order  of  the  fifth  class.  You  will  find  such 
a  list  in  any  of  the  larger  systematic  works  on 
botany. 

L.  It  compares  best  with  the  Mirabilis  or 
Marvel  of  Peru ;  the  corona  is  funnel  formed, 
narrow  below,  the  calyx  inferior,  and  it  has  a 
globular  stigma. 

E.  You  are  right.  Turn  now  to  the  genus 
Mirabilis,  and  see  with  which  of  its  species  it 
agrees. 

L.  Mirabilis  Dichotoma  —  Mexican  Four 
O'Clock  ;  flowers  sessile,  axillary,  erect,  solitary. 
It  cannot  belong  to  Mexico  then.  Now  for  an- 


142     BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

other,  the  Mirabilis  Jalapa  —  Common  Four 
O'clock,  flowers  heaped,  ped  uncled,  leaves  glab- 
rous. I  must  look  in  the  GLOSSARY  for  the 
meaning  of  some  of  these  terms.  Yes  ;  this  is 
the  flower.  I  need  proceed  no  further. 

E.  The  generic  marks  led  you  to  the  house, 
and  the  specific  to  the  number,  so  that  your 
journey  has  ended,  the  letter  has  at  last  reached 
its  destination.  Here  is  another  plant,  in  what 
class  and  order  is  it? 

L.  I  must  cut  it  open  to  see.  It  is  in  the 
fourth  class  and  first  order,  it  has  four  stamens 
and  one  style. 

E.  Will  you  turn  to  that  class  and  order  in 
the  manuscript  and  tell  the  genus.  You  will 
have  easy  work,  for  they  are  comparatively  few 
in  the  class. 

L.  I  am  unsuccessful.  I  have  compared  it 
with  all  species  and  it  does  not  agree  with  a 
single  description.  There  is  a  mistake  some- 
where ;  perhaps  it  has  been  omitted  by  accident 
in  the  list. 

E.  Can  plants  having  only  four  stamens  be 
possibly  in  any  other  class  but  the  fourth  ? 

L.  They  cannot.  O  yes  !  I  recollect,  two  of 
the  stamens  are  longer  than  the  others  ;  it  must 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.     143 

belong  to  the  class  of  two  powers — Didynamia. 
It  has  a  calyx  with  one  of  the  teeth  truncate : 
corol  funnel-shaped  arid  curved  tube,  the  border 
five  cleft  nearly  equal.  It  must  be  the  Ver- 
bena. 

E.  I  purposely  selected  that  flower  to  puzzle 
you.  I  did  so,  because,  when  a  school  girl,  I 
was  caught  in  that  way  myself,  and  the  effect 
on  my  mind  was  invaluable  ;  though  often  ex 
posed,  I  never  failed  aftenvards,  and  I  have  no 
doubt  it  will  be  equally  serviceable  to  you. 

L.  I  hope  I  will  examine  more  carefully  be 
fore  I  give  another  opinion ;  but  I  have  not  yet 
found  its  species.  It  is  the  Verbena  Hastata,  I 
can  tell  it  at  the  first  glance  looking  among  the 
species.  It  is  erect  and  high  with  long  narrow 
leaves,  awl  pointed  at  the  ends,  and  roughly 
sawed  on  the  margin.  The  lower  leaves  some- 
what gash-hastate,  spikes  linear  and  panicled, 
with  an  appearance  of  piling. 

E.  You  can  now  pursue  your  journey  in  a 
great  measure  alone.  With  a  far  less  amount 
of  knowledge  to  commence,  many,  by  unassisted 
effort,  have  become  celebrated  naturalists.  Here 
is  another  flower  that  grows  very  plentifully  in 
grandmother's  garden,  and  which  she  says  often 


144        BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

fall  down  by  its  own  weight.     Take  a  blossom 
and  tell  me  its  name. 

L.  It  has  ten  stamens  and  two  pistils ;  it  is 
then  in  the  tenth  class  and  second  order  of  that 
class. 

E.  How  will  you  write  it  in  your  description '/ 

L.  Class  Decandria,  order,  Digyriia.  Its 
calyx  is  inferior  or  below  the  germ,  made  of  one 
leaf,  tube-shaped,  has  five  teeth,  and,  let  me 
see,  destitute  of  scales.  The  petals  are  five  in 
number,  with  claws.  It  must  belong  then  to 
the  genus  Saponaria,  and  turning  to  that  genus 
in  the  Botany,  I  perceive  it  agrees  with  the  de 
scription  of  the  Officinalis.  The  calyx  is  cylin- 
drical, the  leaves  of  a  long  oval  shape,  opposite 
to  each  other,  and  nearly  growing  together 
around  the  stem.  This  is  the  Soapwort,  or 
what  grandmother  calls  Bouncing  Bet.  I  per- 
ceive, that  in  looking  up  the  genus  of  a  plant, 
my  attention  must  be  principally  directed  to  the 
parts  of  the  flower,  while  the  specific  differences 
relate  the  stems  and  leaves. 

K.  There  is  a  distinction  between  the  stems 
of  plants  which  is  based  on  their  modes  of  grow- 
ing. The  two  kinds  are  called  by  the  names 

Of  ENDOGENOUS  and  EXOGENOUS. 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.     145 

L.  What  do  the  names  mean  ? 

E.  Endogenous  means,  literally,  an  inside 
grower  ;  exogenous  an  outside  grower.  Endo- 
genous plants  are  also  Monocotyledonous  :  ex- 
ogenous plants,  Dicotyledonous. 

The  Cocoa-nuts,  Date  Palm,  Sugar  Cane, 
and  most  of  the  trees  of  tropical  climates  are 
endogenous.  They  have  long  stems  of  the 
same  thickness  from  top  to  bottom,  the  leaves  in 
the  form  of  a  Cabbage,  being  situated  at  the 
top.  The  woody  matter  is  deposited  in  the 
stems  in  the  centre  at  first,  and  as  it  is  con  ti  mi- 
ally  forming,  pushes  out  the  old  matter  to  the 
circumference,  and  does  this  until  the  bundles  of 
wood  at  the  outside  become  so  closely  wedged 
together  and  tight,  that  it  is  impossible  to  in- 
crease its  diameter.  Another  layer  is  then 
added  upwards.  Such  trees  have  no  real  bark, 
the  rough  appearance  of  the  outside  being  merely 
the  remains  of  leaves. 

L.  The  trunks  of  such  trees  then,  while  grow- 
ing, look  like  stumps  of  our  trees  when  cut  down 
and  sawed  smooth,  only  covered  on  the  top  with 
leaves.  There  are  few  of  these  curious  plants 
with  us. 

E.  None  that  attain  the  size  of  trees.  You 
13 


146     BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

perceive  now  why  they  are  termed  endogenous, 
as  they  grow  from  the  centre  outwards.  When 
a  European  wood  cutter,  it  has  been  well  re- 
marked, begins  to  fell  a  tree  of  this  description, 
he  is  quite  astonished  at  his  hardness.  l  If  I 
have  so  much  difficulty  with  the  outside,'  says 
he.  '  how  shall  I  ever  get  through  the  heart  of 
the  wood  ?'  But  as  he  proceeds,  he  rinds  that 
the  trees  of  the  tropical  climates  have  tender 
hearts  though  hard  surfaces.  It  is  said  that 
this  renders  them  peculiarly  appropriate  for 
making  masts  of  vessels  and  pipes  to  convey 
water. 

Exogenous  trees  toper  from  the  bottom  to  the 
top,  and  send  off  branches  on  all  sides,  which 
the  endogenous  rarely  do ;  they  more  or  less,  in 
all  cases,  resemble  a  cone  in  shape.  The  stem 
is  composed  of  the  wood  and  bark.  In  the  cen- 
tre is  the  pith  which  answers  somewhat  like  the 
marrow  that  is  in  our  bones  for  the  purpose  of 
nourishing  them.  This  pith  or  cellular  sub- 
stance is  in  both  endogenous  and  exogenous 
stems ;  in  the  former  it  forms  with  the  woody 
matter  irregular  bundles,  but  has  in  the  latter 
a  radiated  appearance,  distinguishing  the  differ- 
ent kinds  at  first  sight. 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.     147 

L.  I  should  think  that  was  hardly  needed  as 
a  distinguishing  mark.  We  can  tell  endogenous 
trees  by  not  giving  off  branches  and  the  bundle 
of  leaves  at  the  tops. 

E.  There  is  another  external  mark,  the  veins 
~in  the  leaves,  or  woody  lines   run  parallel  to 
each  other,  and  are  generally  long  and  pointed ; 
while  in  the  exogenous  plants  they  form  an  in- 
tersecting net  work. 

The  first  year  there  is  a  layer  of  woody  mat- 
ter around  the  pith  between  it  and  the  bark ; 
during  cold  weather  vegetation  ceases.  The 
second  year  there  is  another  layer  added  outside 
the  first  layer  and  inside  the  bark;  this  last 
squeezes  the  first  so  tightly  that  it  cannot  ex- 
pand at  all  sideways,  and  as  it  continues  grow- 
ing must  shoot  upward.  The  third  year  an- 
other layer  encloses  the  second,  and  serves  it  as 
it  has  served  the  first,  so  that  the  second  is 
forced  upwards  in  same  manner.  In  three 
years  then,  there  are  three  layers,  the  first  of 
which  is  highest,  the  second  next  in  height  and 
the  third  lowest,  thus  explaining  it  conical  form. 

L.  If  we  could  see  the  different  layers  of 
wood  I  think  we  might  easily  tell  the  age  of  the 
tree. 


148        BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

E.  They  are  generally  very  easily  distin- 
guishable. Here  is  a  piece  of  fire  wood ;  how 
old  is  it  ? 

L.  There  are  twenty-two  rings,  it  is  twenty- 
two  years  old. 

E.  Examine  the  other  end  ;  how  many  rings 
in  that? 

L.  Twelve. 

7!  E.  Twelve  from  twenty-two,  leaves  ten ;  it 
was,  consequently,  ten  years  growing  the  length 
of  this  piece. 

L.  But  does  it  ever  stop  growing  ? 

E.  Yes ;  for  at  last  the  inside  layers  become 
so  extremely  hard  as  to  be  no  longer  capable  of 
yielding  to  pressure,  it  is  then  perfect  wood,  be- 
fore which  it  was  alburnum  or  white  wood,  so 
called  from  its  color. 

L.  But  that  could  not  apply  to  the  Mahogany 
tree  whose  wood  is  not  white. 

L.  It  does,  however,  apply  in  every  case  ;  not 
until  it  becomes  perfect  wood,  and  ceases  to  be 
alburnum,  does  the  deposit  of  coloring  matter 
take  place  in  it  which  gives  each  kind  its  pecu- 
liar character  ;  even  ebony  when  young  is  per- 
fectly white. 

L.  But  how  does  the  bark  grow  all  this  time  ? 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PKOPLE.     149 

E.  In  an  endogenous  manner.  The  layers 
are  added  from  the  inside,  and  push  the  former 
matter  out,  so  that  it  cracks  and  breaks  in  every 
direction,  causing  that  roughened  appe:u\u:ce 
we  see  in  the  Oak  and  Elm. 

The  bark  of  some  trees  is  so  hard  and  inflexi- 
ble that  it  will  not  yield,  but  splits  and  breaks 
off  every  season  ;  such  is  the  Plane  tree.  On 
the  other  extreme,  is  the  Cork  tree,  whose  bark 
does  not  harden  for  a  number  of  years,  and 
being  stripped  off  while  soft  answers  a  variety 
of  purposes  in  the  arts. 

If  you  take  a  gimblet  and  bore  through  the 
bark  till  you  just  reach  the  alburnum,  as  the 
successive  coats  of  bark  are  deposited  internally, 
and  push  the  others  out,  the  gimblet  will,  after 
a  while,  drop  to  the  ground.  In  this  way  in- 
scriptions on  the  bark  of  trees  are  effaced  by  the 
distension  and  consequent  cracking. 

L.  But  if  the  gimblet  enters  the  alburnum 
some  distance,  it  will  not  drop  off.  but  be  held 
tighter  every  year. 

E.  Even  an  inscription  made  deep  enough  to 
penetrate  the  alburnum  will  remain  uninjured. 
A  story  is  told  of  the  great  traveller  Adamson 
finding  a  t re r.  sure  in  this  way.  He  relates  that 

•*" 


150  BOTANY    FOR    YOUNG    PEOPLE. 

in  visiting  Cape  Verd  in  the  year  1748,  he  was 
struck  by  the  venerable  appearance  of  a  tree  50 
feet  in  circumference.  He  recollected  having 
read  in  some  old  voyages  an  account  of  an  in- 
scription made  in  a  tree  thus  situated.  No 
traces  of  such  an  inscription  remained,  but  the 
position  of  the  tree  having  been  accurately  de- 
scribed, Adamson  was  induced  to  search  for  it 
by  cutting  into  the  tree,  when  to  his  great  satis- 
faction, he  discovered  the  inscription  entire, 
under  no  less  a  covering  than  three  hundred 
layers  of  wood. 

A  somewhat  similar  story  is  related  of  Daniel 
Boone,  the  first  settler  of  Kentucky. 


BOTANY    FOR     YOUNG     PEOPLE.  151 


SYNOPSIS. 


CLASSES. 

1.    MONANDRIA. 

Ginger,  Arrow-root,  and  Can- 
na. 

2.  DIANDRIA. 
Jessamine,  Privet,  Olive,  and 

Lilac. 

3.  TBIANDBIA. 
Saffron,  Iris,  and  the  Grasses. 

4.  TETRANDRIA. 

Bed  Straw,  Holly,  and  Skunk 
Cabbage. 

5.  PENTANDHIA. 
Forget  Me  Not,  Borage,  Bind, 

weed,  Potatoes,  Bell  Flow- 
ers and  Violets. 

6.  HEXANDRIA. 
Snow  Drop,  Narcissus,   Tu- 
lip, Aloe,  Grape,  and  Hya- 
cinth. 

7.  HEPTANDRIA. 
Horse  Chestnut,  and    Chick 

Wintergreen. 

8.  OCTANDRIA. 
Ear  Drop,  Cranberry,  and  Tree 
Primrose. 

9.  ENNEANDHIA. 
Rhubarb,  Sassafrass. 

10.  DECANDRIA. 
Cassia,  Wild  Indigo,  Arbutus, 

Venus  Fly-trap,  Hydrangea 
Pinks,  and,  Pokeweed. 


ORDERS. 
1.  Monogynia,  2.  Digynia. 

1.  Monogynia,  2.Digyni:i. 


1.  Monogynia,  2.  Dygynia,  3. 
Trigynia. 

1.  Monogynia,  2.  Digynii,  3 
Trigynia,  4.  Tetragynia. 


1.  Monogynia,  2.  Digynia,  3. 
Trigynia,  4.  Tetragynia,  5. 
Pentagynia,  6.  Hexagynia, 
13.  Polygnia. 

1.  Monogynia,  2.  Digynia,  3. 
Trigynia,  4-.  Tetragynia,  6. 
Hexagynia,  13.  Polygynia. 

1.  Monogynia,  2.  Digynia,  4. 
Tetragynia,  6.  Hexagynia. 

1.  Monogynia,  2.  Digynia,  3. 
Trigynia,  4.  Tetragynia. 

1.  Monogynia,  2.  Digynia,  3. 
Trigynia  4.  Tetragynia. 

1.  Monogynia,  2.  Digynia,  3. 
Trigynia,  4.  Tetragynia,  5. 
Pentagynia,  10.  Decagynia. 


152 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PKOPLE. 


Rejected.    11.  DODECANDHIA. 
Agrimony  and  Mignonette 


12.  ICOSANDRIA. 
Peach,  Apple,  Rose,  Cactus, 

Ice  Plant,  Plum,  and  Straw- 
berry. 

13.  PoLYANDHIA. 

Poppy,  Larkspur,  Columbine, 
Tea,  Water  Lily,  Lemon, 
and  Peony. 

14.  DIDYNAMIA. 
Mint,  Pennyroyal, Catnep,  and 

Vervain. 

15.  TETHADYNAMIA. 
Horse  Radish.  Mustard,  and 
Cabbage. 

16.    MONADELPHIA. 

Geranium,  Passion  Flower, 
Hollyhock,  Cotton. 


17.    DlADELPHIA. 

Pea,  Bean,  Lucerne,  Indigo, 

and  Liquorice, 

Rejected,  18.  POLYADELPHIA. 
Chocolate,    and     St.    John's 

Wort. 

19.  SYNGENESIA. 
Dandelion,  Lettuce,  Burdock, 

Thistle    and    all    the  other 

compound  flowers. 


20.  GYNANDRIA. 
Orchis,  Lady's  Slipper,  Vanil- 
la, Birthworth,  and  the  Silk 
Weeds. 


1.  Monogynia,  2.  Digynia,  3. 
Trigynia,  5.  Pentagynia,  12. 
Dodecagynia. 

1.  Monogynia,  2.  Digynia,  3. 
Trigynia,  5.  Pentagynia,  13. 
Polygynia. 

1.  Monogynia,  2.  Digynia,  3. 
Trigynia,  4.  Tetragynia,  5. 
Pentagynia,  6.  Hexagynia, 
13.  Polygynia. 

1.  Gymnospermia,  2.  Angios- 
permia. 

1.  Siliculosa,  2.  Siliquosa. 


3.  Triandria,  5.  Pentandria,  7. 
Heptandria,  8  Octandria,  9. 
Enneandria,  10.  Decandria, 

12.  Dodecandria,  13.  Poly- 
andria. 

5.  Pentandria,  6.  Hexandria, 
10.  Octandrie,  Decandria. 

5.  Pentandria,  Icosandria,  Po- 
lyandria. 

1.  Polygamia  Equalis,  2.  Po- 
lygamia  Superflua,  3.  Poly- 
gamia Frustranea,  5.  Poly- 
gamia Nescessaria,  5.  Poly- 
gamia Segregata. 

1.  Monandria,  2.  Diandria 
4.  Tetrandria,  5.  Pen  tan 
dria,  6.  Hexandria,  10.  De- 
candria, 12.  Dodecandria, 

13.  Polyandria. 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.     157 

nose.  Stem  panicled.  Calyx  ovate,  mucronate. 
Scales  broad,  lanceolate  close  pressed ;  woolly 
margin.  [Canada  Thistle.] 

DATURA. — Pentandria  Monogynia.  Calyx 
tubular,  angled,  caducous,  with  a  round  perma- 
nent base.  Corol  funnel  form,  plaited.  Cap- 
sule four  valved.  Thorny. 

D.  Stramonium.  Pericarps  spinose,  erect 
ovate.  Leaves  ovate  with  angular  teeth. 
[Thorn  Apple.] 

DIANTHUS. — Decandria  Digynia.  Calyx  in- 
ferior, cylindric,  one  leaved,  with  four  scales 
commonly  at  base,  sometimes  eight.  Petals 
five,  with  claws.  Capsules  cylindric,  one  celled. 

D.  Barbatus.  Flowers  fascicled.  Scales  of 
the  calyx  ovate,  subulate.  Leaves  lanceolate. 
[Sweet  William.] 

D.  Caryophyllus.  Flowers  solitary.  Calcy- 
nine  scales  cylindric,  very  short.  Petals  cre- 
nate.  Leaves  linear  subulate,  channelled. 
[Carnation.] 

D.  Chinensis.  Flowers  solitary.  Scales  of 
calyx  subulate,  spreading,  leafy,  equalling  the 
tube.  Petals  crenate,  leaves  lanceolate.  [China 
Pink.l 


158     BOTANV  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

ERODIUM. — Monadelphia  Pentandria.  Calyx 
five  leaved.  Corol  five  petalled.  Nectaries  five, 
alternating  with  filaments.  Arils  five,  one 
seeded,  awned,  beaked  at  base  of  receptacle. 

E.  Ciconiuin.  Pendimcle  sustaining  many 
flowers.  Leaves  pinnate  ;  leaflets  toothed  pin- 
natifid.  Petals  oblong,  obtuse.  Stem  ascend- 
ing. [Storksbill  Geranium.] 

E.  Oicutarium.  Pendimcle  sustaining  many 
flowers.  Leaves  pinnate,  leaflets  sessile,  pinna- 
tifid,  gashed.  Corol  much  larger  than  Calyx. 
Stem  prostrate,  hirsute.  [Hemlock  Geranium.] 

E.  Moschatum.     Peduncle  sustaining  many 
flowers.     Leaves  pinnate,  leaflets  partially  pro- 
vided with  stalks,  oblong  toothed,  coral  equaling 
the  calyx,  stem  procumbent.  [Musk  Geranium.] 

FRAG  ARIA. — Icosandria,  Polygynia.  Calyx 
inferior  ten  cleft,  the  five  alternate  divisions 
being  smaller.  Petals  five.  Receptacle  ovate, 
simulating  a  berry.  Acines  naked,  immersed  in 
the  receptacle. 

F.  Virginiana.     Calyx  of  the  fruit  spreading. 
Hair  on  the  petioles  erect  on  the  peduncles  close 
pressed.  .  Leaves  rather  glabrous  above.    [Wild 
Strawberry.] 


BOTANY    FOR    YOUNG    PEOPLE.  159 

F.  Vesca.     Calyx  of  fruit  reflexed.     Hair  on 
the  petioles  spreading,   on  the  penduncles  close 
pressed.     [English  Strawberry.] 

GERANIUM. — Monadelphia  Decandria.  Ca- 
lyx five  leaved.  Corol  five  petalled  regular. 
Nectaries  five,  adhering  to  the  base  of  the  five 
alternating  long  filaments.  Arils  five,  one  seeded 
awned,  beaked  at  the  elongated  top  of  the  re- 
ceptacle. 

G.  Maculatum.     Erect.     Stem  dichomatous. 
Leaves  opposite,  three  or  five  parted,  gashed, 
upper  leaves  sessile.     Penduncles  two  flowered. 
Petals  obovate.     [Spotted  Geranium.] 

G.  Robertianum.  Spreading,  hirsute.  Leaves 
opposite,  ternate  and  quinate.  three  cleft,  pinna- 
tifid.  Penduncles  two  flowered.  Petals  entire, 
twice  as  long  as  Calyx.  Awn  net  veined.  [Herb 
Robert.] 

HELIANTHUS. — Syngenesia  Polygamia  Frus- 
tranea.     Calyx  imbricate   sub-squarrose,  leafy. 
Receptacle  flat,  chaffy.    Egret  two  leaved  chaff- 
like  caducous. 
.     H.  Annuus.     Leaves  cordate,  three  nerved. 


160     BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

Penduncles  thickening  upwards.     Flowers  nod 
ding1.     [Common  Sunflower.] 

H.  Tuberosus.  Leaves  three  nerved,  sca- 
brous ;  lower  ones  ovate,  upper  ones  ovate  acu- 
minate. Petioles  ciliate.  Root  tuberous.  [Je- 
rusalem Artichoke.] 

IRIS. — Triandria  Monogynia.  Corol  six  pe- 
talled,  unequal.  Petals  alternate  jointed  and 
spreading.  Stigmas  three,  petal  form,  cowled, 
two  lipped. 

I.  Plicata.  Bearded.  Scape  mostly  one  flow- 
ered, and  as  long  as  the  leaves.  Petals,  undu- 
late, plicate,  erect  ones  broadest.  [Garden  Iris.] 

I.  Germanica.  Corolla  bearded.  Stem  with 
leaves,  many  flowered.  Inferior  flowers  pe- 
d uncled.  [Fleur  de  Lis.] 

IPOMEA. — Pentandria  Monogynia.  Calyx 
five  cleft,  naked.  Coral  funnel  form  with  five 
folds.  Stigma  globular,  and  covered  with  fleshy 
points.  Capsule  two  or  three  celled,  many 
seeded. 

I.  Coccinea.  Pubescent.  Leaves  cordate, 
acuminate.  Peduncles  five,  flowered.  Corolla 
tubular.  [Scarlet  Morning  Glory.] 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.     161 

I.  Quamoclit.  Leaves  pinnatifid  linear. 
Flowers  solitary.  Corolla  tubular.  [Crimson 
Cypress  Yine.  Jasmine  Bindweed.] 

JASMINUM. — Diandria  Monogynia.  Corol 
salver  shaped.  Berry  two  seeded.  Seeds  soli- 
tary arilled. 

J.  Officinale.  Leaves  opposite,  pinnate,  leaf- 
lets acuminate.  Buds  almost  upright.  [Jas- 
mine.] 

KALMIA. — Decandria  Monogynia.  Calyx 
five  parted.  Corol  wheel-salver-form,  with  ten 
horns  beneath  and  ten  cavities  within,  which 
contain  the  anthers  until  the  pollen  is  mature. 
Capsule,  five  celled,  many  seeded. 

K.  Latifolia.  Leaves  long  petioled,  scattered, 
in  threes,  oval,  smooth.  Corymbs  terminal, 
with  visced  hairs.  [Mountain  Laurel.] 

K.  Glauca.  Brachlets  double  edged.  Leaves 
opposite,  subsessilo,  oblong,  smooth,  margin  re- 
volute,  glaucous  beneath.  Corymbs  terminal, 
bracted.  Penduncles  and  calyxes  glabrous. 
[Swamp  Laurel.] 

LTLIUM. — Hexandria  Monogynia.     Corol  in- 


162        BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

ferior,  six  petalled,  bell  shaped.  Petals  with  a 
longitudinal  line  from  the  middle  to  the  vase. 
Stamens  shorter  than  the  style.  Capsules  with 
valves  connected  by  cancellated  hair. 

L.  Candidum.  Leaves  lanceolate,  scattered. 
Corolla  bell  shaped,  smooth  within.  [White  Lily.] 

L.  Philadelphicum.  Leaves  whorled,  lance 
linear.  Corol  erect,  bell-form  spreading.  Pe- 
tals lanceolate  with  claws.  [Red  Lily.] 

L.  Canadense.  Leaves  remotely  whorled, 
lanceolate.  Peduncles  terminal,  lengthened, 
often  in  threes.  Corol  nodding.  Petals  spread- 
ing. [Nodding  Lily.] 

LONICERA. — Pentandria  Monogynia.  Calyx, 
five  toothed.  Corol  tubular,  long,  five  cleft,  un- 
equal. Stamens  exsert.  Stigmas  globose.  Ber- 
ry, two  or  three  celled,  with  many  seeds. 

L.  Caprifolium.  Cowls  gaping,  terminal. 
Leaves  sessile,  connate.  [Honeysuckle.] 

L.  Periclymenum.  Flowers  in  piled,  termi- 
nal heads.  Leaves  distinct.  [Woodbine.] 

MYOSOTIS. — Pentandria  Monogynia.  Calyx 
mostly  five  cleft.  Corol,  salver  form,  carved, 
five  cleft,  lobes  slightly  emarginate,  throat  closed 
with  convex  scales.  Seeds  mostly  smooth. 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.     163 

M.  Palustrus.  Seeds  smooth.  Calyx,  leaves 
nearly  oval,  as  long  as  the  tubes  of  the  corol. 
Stem  sub-ramose.  Leaves,  lance-oval.  Ra- 
cemes bractless.  [Forget  Me  Not.] 

M.  Arvensis.  Calyx  leaves  oval,  acuminate, 
hirsute,  longer  than  tube  of  corol.  Stem  branch- 
ing. Racemes  conjugate.  Leaves  lance-oblong, 
hirsute.  [Scorpion  Grass.] 

NYMPHEA. — Polyandria  Monogynia.  Calyx 
four,  six  and  seven  leaved.  Corol,  many  pe- 
talled,  petals  equalling  the  length  of  sepals. 
Stigma  a  broad,  disk  marked  with  radiated  lines. 
Berry,  many  celled,  many  seeded. 

N.  Odorata.  Leaves  round-cordate,  entire, 
rfub-emarginate,  lobes  spreading  asunder,  acumi- 
nate, obtuse.  Petals  equalling  the  four  leaved 
Calyx.  [Sweet  Scented  Water  Lily. 

OXALTS. — Decandria  Pentagynia.  Calyx 
five  parted,  permanent.  Petals,  five,  often  con- 
nected at  the  base.  Capsules,  five  celled,  five 
cornered,  opening  at  the  corners.  Seeds  arilled. 

O.  Acetosella.  Scape  one  flowered.  Styles 
equal.  Leaves  ternate,  obcordate,  hirsute.  Root, 
toothed.  [Wood  Sorrel. 


164  BOTANY    FOR    YOUNG    PKOPLE. 

PAPAVER. — Polyandria,  Monogynia.  Calyx, 
two-leaved,  caducous.  Corol,  four  petalled. 
Stigma,  a  disk  with  radiating  lines  over  it.  Cap- 
sules one  celled,  opening  dehisent  by  holes  un- 
der the  permanent  stigmas. 

P.  Rheas.  Capsules,  urn  shaped,  smooth. 
Stem,  many  flowered,  pilose.  Leaves,  gash- 
pinnatifid.  [Wild  Poppy.] 

QUERCUS. — Monoecia  Polyandria.  Stami- 
nate  flowers. — Calyx,  commonly  five,  cleft.  Co- 
rolla, none.  Stamens,  five  or  ten.  Female : 
Calyx,  one  leaved,  quite  entire  rugged.  Corolla, 
none.  Styles,  two  to  five.  Seeds  one,  ovate. 

Q,.  Tinctoria.  Leaves  obovate,  oblong,  pu- 
bescent beneath  ;  lobes  oblong,  obtuse,  denticu- 
late, setaceous  mucronate.  Calyx,  saucer  form. 
Acorn,  depressed,  globose.  [Black  Oak.] 

RUBUS. — Icosandria  Polygynia.  Calyx,  five 
cleft,  inferior.  Corol,  five  petaled.  Berry,  com- 
posed of  one  seeded  juicy,  acini. 

R.  Ideus.  Leaves  quinate,  pinnate  and  ter- 
nate,  tomentose  underneath,  leaflets  rhomb- 
ovate,  acuminate.  Petioles  channelled.  Stem 
prickly.  [Raspberry.] 


BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.      165 

R.  Villosus.  Pubescent,  hispid  and  prickly. 
Leaves  digitate  in  threes  or  lives,  leaflets  ovate, 
acuminate,  serrate  and  hairy  both  sides.  Stem 
and  petioles  prickly.  Calyx,  short,  acuminate. 
Petals  lance  ovate. 

SALVIA. — Diandria  Monogynia.  Calyx  tu- 
bular, striated,  two  lipped.  Cowl  ringent. 
Filaments  fastened  transversely  to  a  pedicel. 

S.  Officinalis.  Leaves,  lanceolate,  ovate 
notched.  Flowers  spiked.  Calyx  mucronate. 
[Sage.] 

THYMUS. — Didynamia  Gymnospermia.  Ca- 
lyx, sub  campanulate.  Throat  closed  with 
v  illose  hairs.  Corol  of  the  upper  lip  shorter. 

T.  Vulgaris.  Stems  erect.  Leaves,  ovate, 
re  volute.  Flowers  whorl  spiked.  [Thyme.] 

ULMUS. — Pentandria  Digynia.  Calyx  some- 
what bell  form,  generally  five  cleft,  inferior,  per- 
manent. Corolla  none.  Capsules  membrana- 
ceous.  flat,  compressed,  one  seeded. 

U.  Americana.  Branches  smooth.  Leaves 
oblique  at  base,  serratures  acuminate.  Flow- 


166     BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

ers  pedicelled.     Fruit  fringed  with  dense  down. 
[Elm  Tree.] 

VERONICA. — Diandria  Monogynia.  Calyx 
four  parted.  Corol  four  cleft,  wheel  shaped, 
with  the  lowest  segment  narrower.  Capsule  two 
celled,  few  seeded. 

V.  Officinalis.  Spikes  lateral,  peduncled. 
Leaves  opposite,  obovate,  hairy.  Stem  procum- 
bent, with  coarse  hairs.  [Speedwell.] 

WINDSORIA. — Triandria  Digynia.  Calyx, 
two  valved,  one  nerved,  cuspidate.  Corols  two 
valved,  outer  valves  having  nerves  with  mucro- 
nate  points,  between  which  are  teeth  and  a  fring- 
ing below ;  inner  valves  naked.  Flowers  closely 
piled  two  ways  in  a  thick  spike. 

W."  Seslerioides.  Panicle  spreading  and  flex- 
uose.  Spikelets  peduncled,  generally  six  flow- 
ered, lanceolate.  Lower  valve  of  corol  ovate 
five  toothed.  [Red-top.] 

XANTHIUM. — Monoecia  Pentandria,  Male: 
Calyx  common,  imbricate.  Corol  one  petalled, 
five  cleft,  funnel  form.  Receptacles  chaffy.  Fe- 


DOT  AN  y  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE.     167 

male:  Involucre,  two  leaved.  Corol  none, 
Drupe  dry,  muricated,  two  cleft.  Nut  two 
celled. 

X.  Strumarium.  Stem  unarmed.  Leaves 
cordate,  serrate,  three  nered  at  the  base.  Fruit, 
oval,  pubescent,  with  hooked  bristles.  [Bur 
Weed.] 

YUCCA. — Hexandria  Monogynia.  Corol,  in- 
ferior, bell  form.  Filaments  sub-clavate.  Style, 
none.  Capsule  oblong,  with  three  obtuse 
angles,  three  celled  opening  at  the  summit.  Seeds 
compressed. 

Y.  Filamentosa.  Stemless.  Leaves  broad, 
lanceolate  entire,  filamentose  in  the  margin. 
Stigmas  turned  back,  spreading.  [Silk  Grass. 
Bear  Grass.] 

ZEA. — Mono3cia  Triandria.  Male :  Calyx, 
glume,  two  flowered,  awnless,  corol  glume, 
awnless.  Female :  Calyx  glume,  two  valved. 
Style  one,  long  and  pendulous.  Seed  solitary, 
buried  in  an  oblong  receptacle. 

[In  examining  this  genus  it  should  be  re- 
membered that  the  number  of  valves  are  in- 
creased in  the  glumes  by  cultivation.] 


168     BOTANY  FOR  YOUNG  PEOPLE. 

Z.  Mays.  Leaves  lance  linear,  entire  keeled. 
[Indian  Corn.j 


MEDICAL     PLANTS. 

MEDICAL    PLANTS. 


BAYBKRRV. 


170  MEDICAL    PLANTS. 

MYKICA  CERIFERA — BAYBERRY. 

Natural  order,  Myricacese — Linnsean  class,  Dioecia — Order, 
Tetrandria. 

Gen.  Char.  Staminate  flowers  with  four  to  six  short  erect 
stamens,  having  large  four-valved  anthers ;  fertile  flowers  ; 
ovary  one,  superior ;  styles  two  spreading ;  stigmas  two  acute  ; 
drupe  one  celled,  one  seeded.  Spec.  Char.  Leaves  cuneate, 
lanceolate  acute,  sterile  ameuts  lax  ;  scales  acute;  fruit  round, 
naked.  This  plant  is  found  in  dry  woods  and  fields,  growing 
from  three  to  six  feet  in  height,  and  covered  profusely  with 
leaves.  It  blooms  in  May.  The  specific  name  alludes  to  the 
wax-bearing  property  of  the  fruit,  which,  boiled  in  water, 
gives  one  third  its  weight  of  bayberry  tallow.  A  tea  is  made  of 
the  bark,  and  used  freely  in  diarrhoaa  and  cholera  morbus. 
*6uuff  is  also  prepared  from  the  bark  by  finely  powdering  it, 
and  baking. 


EUPATORIUM  PERFOLIA.TOM — BONESET. 

Natural  order,  Compositae — Linntean  class,  Syngenesia — Or- 
der, Equalis. 

Gen.  Char.  Involucre  imbricate,  oblong ;  style  exserted, 
cleft  half  way  down ;  receptacle  naked ;  pappus  scabrous. 
Spec.  Char.  Leaves  connate — perfoliate,  oblong-serrate,  ru- 
gose ;  stem  villose.  It  grows  from  two  to  four  feet  in  height. 
It  flowers  in  dense,  depressed,  terminal  corymbs,  formed  of 
smaller  corymbs,  each  containing  from  twelve  to  fifteen  florets 
of  a  dull  whitish  color.  The  leaves,  stems,  and  stalk  are  of  a 
grayish  green  color.  The  seeds  are  black,  oblong  with  acute 
bases,  and  pappus  with  scabrous  hairs.  It  is  a  fall  plant,  blos- 
soming from  August  to  October,  and  is  found  near  streams, 
swamps,  and  marshes.  It  is  a  valuable  family  plant ;  much 
used  to  sweat,  vomit,  purge,  and  give  tone  to  the  system.  The 


MEDICAL    PLANTS. 


BONESET 

dose  of  the  powdered  herb  is  ten  grains.  A  pint  of  boiling 
water  poured  on  an  ounce  of  the  herb,  and  strained  when  cool, 
is  given  in  gill  doses.  Taken  hot,  it  will  sweat ;  lukewarm, 
vomit ;  and  cold,  purge.  The  cold  tea  is  used  to  strengthen  the 
system,  in  tablespoonful  doses  at  intervals.  The  generic  name 
was  given  in  honor  of  Eupater,  king  of  Pontus,  who  first  used 
it ;  the  specific,  in  allusion  to  the  leaf  clasping  the  stem. 


172 


MEDICAL    PLANTS. 


BLOOD- HOOT. 


JltiDiOAL    PLANTS.  if  8 

SANGUINARIA  CANADENSIS — BLOOD-ROOT. 

Natural  order,  Papaveracese — Linnaean  class,  Polyandria — Or- 
der, Monogynia 

Gen.  Char.  Calyx  two  sepalled,  caducous;  corolla  eight 
petalled  ;  stigma  two-lobed,  sessile  ;  capsule — pod-like ;  ovate 
one  celled,  two  valved,  acute  at  each  end,  many  seeded.  Spec. 
Char.  Leaves  subreniform  ;  scape  one-flowered,  sheathed  at 
base.  This  a  beautiful  little  plant,  sometimes  appearing  before 
the  snow  is  off  the  ground.  The  flowerstalk  is  some  eight 
inches  in  height,  bearing  a  white,  square,  scentless  flower, 
which  soon  disappears.  The  root  is  the  part  used ;  when 
pressed,  it  exudes  a  blond-colored  fluid,  whence  the  generic 
name.  It  should  be  gathered  in  the  fall  or  early  spring.  The 
dose  of  the  powder  is  one  grain ;  of  the  tincture,  ten  drops. 
It  induces  profuse  sweating,  and  in  much  smaller  doses  gives 
tone  to  the  system.  Il  is  used  in  chronic  diseases  of  the  liver 
and  lungs,  dysentery,  and  inflammatory  rheumatism.  The 
powder  is  also  sprinkled  on  foul  ulcers. 


IRIS   VERSICOLOR — BLUE  FLAG. 

Natural  order,  Iridaces — Linnaean  class,  Triandria — Order, 
Monogynia. 

Gen.  Char.  Sepals  three,  reflexed,  larger  than  petals ;  sta- 
mens distinct;  stigmas  petaloid,  covering  the  stamens  and 
rarely  supported  by  a  style.  Spec.  Char.  Stems  terete,  flex- 
nous  ;  leaves  ensiform ;  flowers  beardless ;  ovary  triangular. 
A  very  handsome,  well-known  plant,  deriving  its  generic  name 
from  the  Greek,  meaning  rainbow,  on  account  of  the  beautiful 
changing  tints  of  the  flowers,  which  are  of  purple  or  violet 


174 


MEDICAL    PLANTS. 


BLUE  FLAG. 

colors,  and  bloom  in  June.  It  grows  some  three  ieet  in  height. 
The  root  is  the  portion  used;  eight  grains  of  the  fresh  pow- 
dered, or  fifteen  of  the  dried,  will  purge.  It  is  given  in  dropsy, 
and  sometimes  in  chronic  liver  complaint.  The  decoction  is 
also  used  as  a  wash  in  sore  mouth  and  ulcers. 


MEDICAL    PLANTS. 


175 


LADIKS*  SLIPPF.R. 


176  MEDICAL    PLANTS. 

CYPRIPEDIUM  PARVIFLORUM — YELLOW  LADIES'  SLIPPER. 

Natural  order,  OrchidseceaB — Linnaean  class,  Gynandria — Or- 
der, Triaudria. 

Gen.  Char.  The  two  inferior  sepals,  joined  into  one  seg- 
ment, sometimes  nearly  or  quite  distinct;  lip  ventricose,  inflated, 
obtuse;  style  with  terminal  lobe.  Spec.  Char.  Stem  leafy  ; 
lobe  of  style,  three  corned,  acute ;  sepals  ovate,  oblong,  acu- 
minate; petals  long,  twisted;  lip  shorter  than  petals,  com- 
pressed. It  grows  in  woods  and  meadows  to  the  height  of 
twelve  or  fifteen  inches.  The  leaves  are  sometimes  six  inches 
long  and  three  wide,  nerved,  alternate,  clasping  pubescent. 
Generally  but  one  flower,  which  blooms  in  May  or  June. 
Segments  four,  greenish,  with  purple  stripes  and  spots.  The 
generic  name  is  derived  from  the  Greek,  meaning  Venus'  slip- 
per, and  the  specific  from  the  flower.  The  roots  are  the  por- 
tion used,  and  should  be  collected  in  early  spring,  dried,  and 
reduced  to  powder.  Dose,  a  teaspoonful  in  all  nervous  and 
hysterical  diseases. 


CHIMAPHILA  MACULATA — SPOTTED  WINTERGREEN. 

Natural  order,  Ericaceae — Linnaean  class,  Decandria — Order, 
Monogynia. 

Gen.  Char.  Calyx  five  parted ;  petals  five  ;  style  short  and 
thick ;  capsule  five  celled,  opening  at  top.  Spec.  Char.  Leaves 
lanceolate,  acuminate,  slightly  serrate ;  peduncles  corymbosed, 
filaments  woolly.  Grows  from  four  to  six  inches  high,  with 
leaves  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  and  half  an  inch  wide,  marked 
with  whitish  lines.  Flowers  of  a  purplish  white  color,  on  nod- 
ding stalks,  blooming  in  June  and  July.  The  leaves  are  tho 


MEDICAL    PLANTS. 


177 


WlNTKRGKEEN. 

portion  mostly  used,  and  these  are  given  in  the  form  of  decoc- 
tion, made  by  boiling,  two  ounces  in  three  pints  of  water  down 
to  a  quart.  Dose,  a  pint  every  twenty-four  hours.  It  is  used 
in  dropsy,  liver  complaint,  and  low  fevers.  Its  generic  name 
means  winter-loving,  and  its  specific  alludes  to  its  spotted 
leaves. 

16 


178 


MEDICAL    PLANTS. 


SNAKKHEAD. 


MEDICAL    PLANTS.  179 

CHELONE  GLABRA— SNAKEHEAD. 

Natural  order,  Scrophulariaceae — Linnaean  class,  Dedyna- 
mia — Order,  Angrospesmia. 

Gen.  Char.  Calyx  five  cleft,  three  bracted ;  corol  ringent,  in 
flated  ;  anthers  woolly  ;  capsule  two  celled,  two  valved  ;  seeds 
with  membranous  margins.  Spec.  Char.  Plant  smooth ; 
leaves  opposite,  oblong  lanceolate,  acuminate,  serrate ;  flowers 
spiked.  Grows  two  feet  in  height,  with  leaves  of  a  shining 
dark  green  color,  and  sends  out  white  flowers  tinged  with  red, 
from  August  to  September.  The  generic  name  supposes  the 
flowers  resemble  a  tortoise,  but  the  common  name  likens 
them  to  a  snake  with  open  mouth  and  extended  tongue.  The 
plant  has  a  bitter  taste,  and  is  given  in  the  form  of  tea  to 
strengthen  the  stomach,  and  is  said  to  be  useful  in  liver  com- 
plaint, worms,  and  jaundice. 


APOCYNUM  ANPROSEMIFOLIUM — DOG  S-BANE. 

Natural  order,  Apocynaceae — Linnaean  class,  Gynandria — Or- 
der, Pentandria. 

Gen.  Char.  Calyx  small ;  corolla  bell-shaped,  with  small 
lobes ;  stamens  inside  ;  filament  short,  alternating  with  five 
glandular  teeth  ;  anthers  sagittate,  connivent,  cohering  to  stig- 
ma by  the  middle ;  ovaries  two ;  stigmas  connate ;  follicles 
long,  distinct.  Spec.  Char.  Leaves  ovate  ;  cymes  lateral  and 
terminal ;  tube  of  corolla  longer  than  calyx,  with  limb  spread- 
ing ;  a  handsome  plant,  attaining  the  height  of  three  feet,  and, 
in  August,  making  a  fine  appearance  with  its  dark  green  leaves 


' 


•<r* 


180 


MKDiCAL    PLANTS. 


DOG'S  BANE. 

and  red  and  white-striped  flowers.  The  root  is  the  part  used  ; 
twenty -five  grains  of  it,  when  fresh-powdered,  act  as  an 
emetic.  Two  or  three  grains,  frequently  repeated,  are  given 
in  dyspepsia  and  low  fevers.  The  Indians  cure  dropsy  with 
it  by  giving  large  doses.  The  generic  name  resembles  in  mean- 
ing the  common  English  one. 


MEDICAL    PI, ANTS. 


181 


LOBELIA  INFLATA — INDIAN  TOBACCO. 

Natural  order,  Lobeliaceae — Limuean  class,  Pentandria — Or- 
dor,  Monogyuia 


182  MEDICAL   PLANTS. 

Gen.  Char.  Corolla  irregular,  tubular,  cleft  nearly  to  base 
ou  the  upper  side ;  anthers  joined  above  into  a  curved  tube  ; 
stigma  two-lobed  ;  capsule  opening  at  top  ;  seeds  small.  Spec. 
Char.  Stem  hairy,  erect,  somewhat  branching ;  leaves  ovate- 
lanceolate,  sessile,  serrate,  pilose  ;  capsule  inflated-  This  well- 
known  plant,  from  its  use  as  a  specific  in  Thomson's  practice, 
sends  out  its  pretty  pale  flowers  from  August  to  September.  It 
grows  a  foot  or  two  high.  The  generic  name  was  given  in  honor 
of  Lobele,  some  240  years  since.  It  is  a  powerful  emetic,  resem 
bling  tobacco  in  its  effects,  but  acts  in  a  shorter  time.  In  reg- 
ular practice  it  is  given  in  asthma,  with  some  success. 


ASCLEPIAS     TUBEROSA BUTTERFLY    WEED. 

Natural  order,  Asclepiadaceae— Linnaean  class,  Gynandria— 
Order,  Pentandria. 

Gen.  Char.  Calyx  small ;  petals  joined  at  base  ;  reflexed ; 
five-lobed.  with  five  averted  horns  at  the  base  of  the  lobes  ; 
connate  mass  of  anthers,  five-angled,  truncate,  opening  by  fine 
fissures  lengthwise  ;  five  distinct  pairs  of  masses  of  pollen ;  fol- 
licles two,  ventricose;  seeds  comose.  Spec.  Char.  Stem 
hairy,  branching  at  top;  leaves  alternate,  sessile,  oblong-lance- 
olate ;  umbels  many,  forming  large  terminal  corymbs.  It  is 
•  about  two  feet  or  more  high,  and  sends  out  magnificent  orange- 
vcolored  flowers  in  August.  The  pods  are  filled  with  flat  ovate 
eeeds,  packed  in  with  long  silky  down.  The  generic  name  is 
given  in  honor  of  Esculapius,  the  god  of  medicine.  The  root 
is  bitter  when  dry,  and  easily  powdered.  Its  dose  is  fifteen 
grains.  The  decoction  in  water  is  taken  by  the  wine  glass, 


MEDICAL    PLANTS. 


183 


BUTTERFLY  WEED. 

and  a  still  stronger  one  by  the  tablespoon.  It  is  given  in 
pleurisy,  last  stages  of  inflammation  of  the  chest,  catarrh,  and 
other  diseases  where  it  is  desirable  to  excite  profuse  perspira- 
tion. 


FLORAL  DICTIONARY. 


IN  the  gardens  of  the  East,  Flora  receives  the  homage  due 
for  her  widely  scattered  and  various  gifts.  Oh  flowers !  flowers ' 
we  may  well  think  them  the  "  alphabet  of  the  angels."  But 
how  coldly  do  we  look  on  them  ;  how  often  are  we  regardless 
of  their  charms  here ;  while  in  other  lands  they  almost  sub- 
serve the  use  of  writing,  expressing  by  a  blossom,  joy,  grief, 
hope,  despair,  devotion,  piety,  and  almost  every  sentiment  that 
fills  the  mind. 

In  Eastern  lands  they  talk  in  flowers, 

And  they  tell  in  a  garland  their  loves  and  cares ; 
Each  blossom  that  blooms  in  their  garden  bowers, 
On  its  leaves  a  mystic  language  bears. 

The  Rose  is  the  sign  of  joy  and  love, 
Young  blushing  love  in  its  earliest  dawn ; 

And  the  mildness  that  suits  the  gentle  dove 
From  the  Myrtle's  snowy  flower  is  drawn.   * 

Innocence  dwells  in  the  Lily's  bell, 

Pure  as  a  heart  in  its  native  heaven  ; 
Fames  bright  star,  and  glory's  swell, 

By  the  glossy  leaf  of  the  bay  are  given. 

The  silent,  soft,  and  humble  heart, 
In  the  Violet's  hidden  sweetness  breathes; 

And  the  tender  sonl,  that  cannot  part 
A  twine  of  evergreen  fondly  wreathes. 

The  Cypress  that  darkly  shades  the  grave, 

Is  sorrow  that  mourns  its  bitter  lot; 
And  faith,  that  a  thousand  ills  can  brave, 

Speaks  in  thy  blue  leaves — Forget  Me  Not. 

Then  gather  a  wreath  from  the  garden  bower?, 
And  tell  the  wish  of  thy  heart  in  flowers. 


FLORAL    DICTIONARY. 


185 


ACACIA, 
Acacia  Rose, 
Agnus  Castus, 

Agrimony, 
Aloe, 

Almond  Tree, 
Almond  Laurel. 
Amaranth. 
Amaryllis, 
American  Cowslip, 
Anemone,  Field, 

—  Garden, 
Angelica, 
Apple  Blossom, 
A  Rose  Leaf, 
Arum,  or  Wake  Ro- 
bin, 
Ash, 
Asphodel, 


Platonic  love. 

Elegance. 

Coldness.    To  live  without 

love. 

Thankfulness. 
Bitterness. 
Indiscretion. 
Perfidy. 
Immortality. 
Haughtiness,  Pride. 
You  are  my  divinity. 
Sickness. 
Forsaken. 
Inspiration. 
Preference. 
I  never  importune. 
. 

Ardour. 
Grandeur. 

My  regrets  follow  you  to 
the  grave. 


Balm  Gentle, 
Balm  of  Gilead. 
Balsam, 


Pleasantry. 

Healing. 

Impatience. 


186  FLORAL    DICTIONARY. 

Barberry,  Sharpness. 
Basil,  Hatred. 
Bear's  Breech,  Arts  (the) 
Beech,  Prosperity. 
Bee-Ophrys,   or  Or- 
chis. Error. 
Bilberry.  Treachery. 
Bindweed,  Humility, 
Black  Thorn,  Difficulty, 
Bladder-Nut  Tree,    Frivolous  Amusement. 
Blue  Bottle  Centaury,Delicacy. 
Borage,  Bluntness. 
Box,  Stoicism. 
Bramble,  Envy. 
Broken  Straw,  Dissension,  Rupture. 
Broom,  Neatness. 
Buckbean,  Calm  Repose. 
Burdock,  Importunity. 
Buttercups.,  Ingratitude. 

Candy  Tuft,  Indifference, 

Canterbury  Bell,Blue  Constancy. 
Carnation,  Yellow,    Disdain. 
Catchfly,  Snare, 

Cherry  Tree,  Good  Education. 

Chesnut  Tree,  Do  me  justice. 


FLORAL    DICTIONARY. 


IS? 


China  Aster,  Variety. 

China,  or  Indian  Pink,  Aversion. 


Cinquefoil, 

Clematis, 

Clove  Pink, 

Colt's-foot, 

Columbine, 

Coriander, 

Corn. 

Cornelian    Cherry 

Tree. 

Crown  Imperial, 
Cypress, 


Beloved  Daughter. 

Artifice, 

Dignity. 

Justice  shall  be  done  you. 

Folly. 

Hidden  Merit 

Riches. 

Durability. 

Majesty. 

Mourning 


and  Mary  gold.  Despair. 


Daisy, 

-  .  Garden, 
,  White, 


Daffodil 

Dandelion, 

Dead  Leaves. 

Dittany  of  Crete, 

Dodder, 

Ebony^ 

Eglantine,  or  Sweet 


Innocence, 

I  partake  your  sentiments, 

I  will  think  of  it. 

Delusive  Hope. 

Oracle. 

Sadness. 

Birth. 

Baseness 

Blackness. 


Briar, 


Poetry. 


ih  t 


188  FLORAL    DICTIONARY. 

Enchanter's    Night- 
shade, Fascination. 

. 

Fennel,  Strength. 

Fern,  Sincerity. 

,  Flowering,      Reverie. 

Fir  Tree,  Elevation. 

Flax  I  feel  your  kindness. 

Flora's  Bell,  You  are  without  pretension. 

Fraxinella,  Fire. 

Geranium,Sorrowful,  Melancholy  spirit. 
Gillyflower,  Lasting  beauty. 

Goose-foot,  Goodness. 

Grass,  Utility. 

Hawthorn,  Hope. 

Hazel,  Reconciliation. 
Heart's  Ease,  or  Pansy,Think  of  me. 

Heath,  Solitude. 

Hepatica,    or  Noble 

Liverwort,  Confidence. 

Holly,  Foresight. 

Hollyhock,  Fruitfulness. 

Honeysuckle,  Bonds  of  love. 

Hop,  Injustice. 


FLORAL    DICTIONARY. 


189 


Hornbeam, 
Horse  Chestnut, 
Hydrangea, 
Hyacinth, 

Ice  Plant, 
Indian  Jasmine, 
Iris, 

,  German, 

Ivy, 


Ornament. 
Luxury. 
You  are  cold. 
Game,  Play. 

Your  looks  freeze  me. 

I  attach  myself  to  You. 

Message. 

Flame. 

Friendship. 


Jessamine,  or  Jasmine,  Amiability. 


Jonquille, 

Juniper, 

Larch, 

Laurel, 

Laurustine, 

Lilac, 

— ,  White, 
Lily,  White, 
Lily  of  the  Valley, 
Linden  Tree, 
London  Pride, 
Lucern, 

Madder, 


Desire. 

Asylum,  Protection. 

Boldness. 

Glory. 

I  die  if  neglected. 

First  emotion  of  Love. 

Youth. 

Purity  and  Modesty. 

Return  of  Happiness. 

Conjugal  Love. 

Frivolity. 

Life. 

Calumny. 


190 


FLORAL    DICTIONARY. 


Maiden  Hair, 
Mallow, 

Manchineel  Tree 
Mandrake, 
Maple, 

Marvel  of  Peru, 
Madwort,  Rock, 
Marygold, 


Discretion,  Secrecy. 

Mild  or  Sweet  Disposition. 

Falsehood. 

Rarity. 

Reserve. 

Timidity. 

Tranquillity. 

Inquietude. 

,  Small  Cape,  Presage. 

Meadow  Saffron,       My  best  days  are  past. 
Meadow  Sweet,         Uselessness. 
Mezereon,  Desire  to  please. 

Michaelmas  Daisy,  Afterthought. 
Mignonette,  Your  qualities  surpass  your 

charms. 

Misseltoe,  I  surmount  all  difficulties. 

Moonwort,  Forgetfulness. 

Moschatel,  Weakness. 

Moss  Rose,  Pleasure  without  alloy. 

Moss,  Tuft  of,  Maternal  Love. 

Motherwort,  Secret  Love. 

Moving  Plant,  Agitation. 

Mulberry  Tree,  Black,  I  will  not  survive  You. 
Mulberry,  White,      Wisdom. 
Mushroom,  Suspicion. 

Musk  Rose,  Capricious  beauty. 


FLORAL    DICTIONARY.  191 

Myrobalan,  Privation. 

Myrtle,  Love. 

Myosotis,  or  Mouse 

Ear,  Forget-me-not. 

Nettle,  Cruelty. 

Night  Convolvulus,  Night. 
Nightshade,    Bitter 

Sweet,  Truth. 

Nosegay,  Gallantry. 

Oak,  Hospitality. 

Olive  Branches,  Peace. 

Orange  Flower,  Chastity. 

Orange  Tree,  Generosity. 

Parsley,  Entertainment,  Feasting. 

Pasque  Flower,  You  are  without  pretension. 

Periwinkle,  Sweet  Remembrances. 

Peruvian  Heliotrope,  I  love  you,  Infatuation. 

Pheasant's  Eye,  Sorrowful  Remembrances. 

Pimpernel,  Assignation. 

Pine  Apple,  You  are  perfect. 

Pink,  Lively  and  Pure  Affection. 

Plane  Tree,  Genius. 

Plum  Tree,  Keep  your  promises. 


192 


FLORAL    DICTIONARY. 


Plum  Tree,  Wild, 
Poet's  Narcissus, 
Potato, 
Poplar,  Black, 

"-"™    .    VV  IllLC. 

Poppy, 

,  White, 

Primrose, 

,  Evening, 

Privet, 

Provins  Rose, 
Pyramidal    Bell 
Flower, 


Independence. 

Egotism. 

Beneficence. 

Courage. 

Time. 

Consolation  of  sleep 

Sleep  of  the  Heart. 

Early  Youth. 

Inconstancy. 

Prohibition. 

Graces. 

Gratitude. 


Quaking  Grass.         Agitation. 


Ranunculus, 

Red  Shanks. 

Red  Valerian, 

Reeds,       . 

Rest  Harrow. 

Rose, 

--  ,  Monthly, 


White, 


You  are  radiant  with  charms. 

Patience. 
Accommodating  Disposition. 

Music. 

Obstacle. 

Beauty. 

Beauty  ever  new. 

Simplicity. 

Silence. 


,  Hundred  leaved,  Graces. 


FLORAL    DICTIONARY. 


193 


Rosebud,  Young  Girl. 

,  White,        The  heart  that  knows  not 

love. 

Rosemary,  Your  presence  revives  me. 

Rose-scented     Gera- 
nium, Preference. 

Roses,  a  Garland  of  Reward  of  virtue. 

Rush,  Docility. 


Saffron, 
Sage, 

Scarlet  Ipomaea, 
Sensitive  Plant, 
Serpentine  Cactus, 
Sendee  Tree, 
Shaking  Saintfoin. 
Snap  Dragon, 
Snowdrop, 
Spider  Ophrys, 
Spiderwort, 
Spindle  Tree. 

Stock,  Ten-week, 
Stramonium,     Com 

mon, 
Strawberry, 

17 


Excess  is  dangerous. 

Esteem. 

I  attach  myself  to  You. 

Timidity. 

Horror. 

Prudence. 

Agitation. 

Presumption. 

Consolation. 

Skill. 

Transient  Happiness. 

Your  Image  is  engraven  on 

my  Heart. 
Promptitude. 

Disguise. 

Perfect  Excellence. 


194 


FLORAL    DICTIONARY. 


Sun  flower,  False  Riches. 

Sweet-briar,   or  Eg- 

latine,  Poetry. 
S  weet-scented    T  us- 

silage,  Justice  shall  be  done  you. 

Sweet  Sultan.  Felicity. 

Sweet  William,  Finesse. 


Teasle, 

Thistle, 

Thrift, 

Thorn  Apple, 

Thyme, 

Tremella, 

Truffle. 

Trumpet  Flower, 

Tulip, 


Misanthrophy. 

Austerity. 

Sympathy. 

Deceitful  Charms. 

Activity. 

Resistance. 

Surprise. 

Separation. 

Declaration  of  Love. 


Venus'  Looking-glass,  Flattery. 
Vervain,  Enchantment. 
Vine,                      .     Intoxication. 
Violet,  Blue,  Modesty. 
,  White,  Candour. 


Wake  Robin, 
Wall-flower, 


Ardour. 

Fidelity  in  Adversity. 


FLORAL    DICTIONARY.  195 


Water  Lily,  Eloquence. 

Weeping  Willow,  Melancholy. 

Wild,  or  Dog  Rose,  Simplicity. 

Willow  Herb,  Pretension. 

Wood  Sorrel,  Joy. 

Wormwood,  Absence. 

Yarrow,  War. 

Yellow  Day  Lily,  Coquetry. 

Yellow  Rose,  Infidelity. 

Yew,  Sorrow. 


196  GLOSSARY. 

&'^if£. 

GLOSSARY 

OF    TECHNICAL    TERMS. 


ACEROSE. — Needle-shaped . 

ANCEPS. — Two-edged. 

ACINUS. — 'A  small  berry.  [bark. 

ACULEUS. — A  prickle  or  sharp  point,  from   the 

ACUMINATE. —  Having  an  open  or  awl-shaped 
point. 

ADNATE. — Growing  together. 

AGGREGATE. — Gathered  together  in  fasicles  or 
bundles. 

ALA. — A  wing  attached  to  seeds,  formed  of  mem- 
brane. 

ANGULAR. — Formed  of,  or  furnished  with  angles. 

APETALOUS. — Plants  whose  floral  development  is 
without  petals,  are  said  to  be  apetalous. 

APPRESSED. — When  the  limb  of  a  leaf  is  pressed 
close  upon  the  stem,  or  when  hairs  are  laid 
flat  upon  the  surface  of  a  plant,  they  are 
said  to  be  appressed. 

A  RTICUL  ATED. — Jointed . 


GLOSSARY.  197 

APHYLLOUS. — Destitute  of  leaves. 

ASSURGENT. — Rising  perpendicularly  without 
artificial  support. 

AWNS. — The  beards  of  barley  are  so  called. 

AXILLARY. — Placed  in  the  axilla  (arm-pit).  A 
term  by  which  the  angle  formed  by  the 
union  of  the  leaf  and  the  stem  is  designated. 

BACCA. — A  berry.  [cleft. 

BIFID. — Cut  half  in  two  from  the  summit ;  two- 

BINATE. — With  two  leaflets. 

BIPINNATE. — Double  rows  of  leaflets. 

BIPINNATIFID. — Twice  pinnatifid. 

BITERNATE. — Cut  into  three,  twice  over. 

BRACTE.E. — Small  leaves  placed  between  the  pro- 
per leaves  of  the  plant  and  the  flower-cup. 

BUDS. — Coverings  of  the  germ. 

CADUCOUS. — Falling  off  early. 

CAPITATE. — Growing  in  the  form  of  a  head. 

CATKIN. — Term  used  to  designate  the  inflores- 
cence of  amentaceous  plants,  as  in  the  hazel. 

CAULINE. — Developed  on  the  stem. 

CERNUOUS. — When*  a  plant  grows  in  a  nodding, 
drooping,  or  pendulous  manner,  it  is  termed 
cernuous. 

CILIATED. — Eye-lash  haired  ;  bordered  with  soft 
parallel  hairs. 


198  GLOSSARY. 

COLORED. — Differing  from  green,  which  from  its 
being  so  common  a  color  is  counted  color- 
less in  botany. 

COMOSE. — Term  applied  to  a  flower  shoot  which 
is  terminated  by  barren  bractea3. 

COMPOUND. — Several  things  in  one.  A  compound 
umbel  is  formed  of  several  single  umbels ; 
the  crysanthemum  is  a  compound  flower, 
being  formed  of  many  little  flowers  or  florets. 

CONCAVE. — Hollowed. 

CONE. — A  particular  kind  of  compound  fruit, 
such  as  that  of  the  pine  tribe. 

CONNATE. — Situated  opposite  each  other,  and 
joined  at  the  base. 

CONNIVENT. — Converging. 

CORDATE. — Heart-shaped  ;  according  to  the  vul- 
gar notion  of  a  heart. 

CORYMB. — A  bunch  of  flowers  where  the  foot- 
stalks proceed  from  different  parts  of  the  prin- 
cipal axis,  but  all  attain  the  same  height. 

CORYMBOSE. — Formed  or  arranged  after  the  man- 
ner of  a  corymb. 

CREN^E. — Notches,  or  round  teeth,  bordering  a 
leaf  or  the  petals  of  a  flower. 

CAMPANULATE. — Bell-shaped. 

CAPSULE. — A  seed  box. 


GLOSSARY.  199 

CRENATE. — Notched ;     when    the    teeth    are 

rounded,  and  not  directed  towards  either 

end  of  the  leaf. 

CRENULATE. — Filled  with  notches. 
CULM. — The  stem  of  grasses. 
CUNEATE. — Wedge-shaped  ;  broad  and  abrupt 

at  the  summit,  and  tapering  down  to  the 

base. 

CYMBIFORM. — Having  the  form  of  a  boat. 
CYME. — A  mode  of  flowering  somewhat  like  a 

flattened  panicle. 

DECIDUOUS. — Falling  off.  Trees  shedding  their 
leaves,  and  the  leaves  shed  annually,  are  said 
to  be  deciduous. 
DECOMPOUND. — Term  applied  to  a  leaf  when 

it  is  twice  pinnated ;  and  to  a  panicle  when 

its  branches  are  also  panicled. 
DECUMBENT. — Lying  down. 
DECURRENT. — When    leaves    run   down   the 

stem  to  a  point  considerably  below  the  place 

where  they  diverge  from  it. 
DEFLEXED. — Folded  downwards. 
DENTICULATED. — Being  finely  toothed. 
DEPRESSED. — Pressed  downwards. 
DICHOTOMOUS. — A  stem  that  ramifies  in  pairs. 


200  GLOSSARY. 

DIGITATE. — Having  the  form  of  an  open  hand. 
DISTICHOUS. — Leaves  or  flowers  placed  in  two 

opposite  rows  are  so  termed. 
DORSAL. — Belonging  to  the  back. 
DRUPE. — A  fruit  enclosing  a  stone  or  nut. 
EGLANDULOSE. — Without  glands. 
EGRET. — The  hairy  crowns  of  some  seeds,  as 

dandelion. 
ELLIPTIC. — Nearly  oval,  but  of  equal  breadth 

at  each  end. 
ELLIPTIC-LANCEOLATE. — A  form  between  an 

ellipsis  and  a  lance-shape. 
EMARGINATE. — Being  slightly  notched  at  the 

end,  as  the  box  leaf. 
ENS i FORM. — Having  the  form  of  a  sword  with 

a  straight  blade, 
EXSERTED. — Projecting  out  of   the  flower  or 

sheath. 
FALCATE. — Shaped   like   a   sickle,    long    and 

crooked. 
FASCICLES. — When  leaves  or  flowers  grow  more 

than  two  together  they  are  said  to  be  fasci- 
culated, or  in  fascicles. 
FASTIGATE. — Tapering  to  a  narrow  point,  like 

a  pyramid. 
FILIFORM. — Long  and  simple,  like  a  thread. 


(i  LOSS  All  Y.  201 

PLEXUOSE. — Having  a  bent  or  wavy  direction. 

FLORETS. — Little  flowers.  A  term  chiefly  ap- 
plied to  those  which  were  formerly  called 
compound  flowers. 

Fuscous. — Of  a  blackish  brown  color. 
FUSIFORM. — Radish  or  carrot-shaped. 
GIBBOUS. — Swelled  out  commonly  on  one  side. 
GLABROUS. — Smooth. 
GLANDULOSE. — Having   small  glands   on   the 

surface. 
GLAUCOUS. — Smooth,  of  a  sea-green  color  ;  as 

the  leaf  of  the  holly,  (fee. 

GLOBOSE. — Round  or  spherical,  like  the  orange. 
GLUME. — A  part  of  the  floral  envelopes  of  grass. 

HASTATE.— Formed  like  the  head  of  an  ancient 
halbert. 

HEPATIC.— Liver  shaped. 

HERBACEOUS.— Plants  whose  stems  perish  annu- 
ally with  the  fall  of  the  leaf 

HIRSUTE. — Rough  with  hairs. 

HISPID.— When  the  spines  on  the  surface  of  a 
leaf  are  not  very  visible  to  the  naked  eye. 

HOARY.— Covered  over  with  white  down. 
18 


202  GLOSSARY. 

HYPOCRATERIFORM.— Salver  shaped  ;  a  tube 
expanded  into  a  flat  border. 

IMBRICATE.--- -When  leaves  are  laid  one  over 
another,  like  tiles  on  a  roof,  they  are  said  to 
be  imbricated. 

INCURVED.— Folding  inwards. 

INFUNDIBULIFORMIS. — Funnel  form. 

INVOLUCRE.--- Where  the  bracteae,  or  floral  leaves 
are  set  in  a  whorl. 

IN  VOLUTE. --Term  applied  to  leaves  when  rolled 
inward. 

JAGGED.— Divided  irregularly  in  many  parts. 

JUGUAN.— A  yoke,  growing  in  pairs. 

LAMELLAE. — Term  applied  to  the  plates  which 
form  the  gills  of  the  mushroom  ;  plates. 

LANCEOLATE. — Lance  or  spear-shaped,  as  in 
tulipa  sylvestris. 

LATERAL.— On  one  side. 

LEAFLET.— A  partial  or  little  leaf,  part  of  a  com- 
pound leaf  ;  leaves  are  always  called  com- 
pound when  they  consist  of  more  than  one 
leaf  on  a  stalk.  Leaf,  is  an  expansion  of 
the  fibres  of  the  bark  for  the  purpose  of  ex- 
posing a  great  quantity  of  green  matter, 
which  seems  necessary  to  its  functions  in 
respiration;  when  the  stem  is  green  less 


GLOSSARY.  203 

leaves  are  required,  sometimes  from  that 
cause,  as  in  the  cactus,  none  at  all.  It  is 
divided  into  three  parts— the  skeleton  or 
framework  being  the  expanded  petiole,  the 
branches  of  which  form  ribs,  to  the  different 
modes  of  which  ramification  are  owing  the 
various  forms  of  leaves,  the  pulpy  portion 
holding  the  green  matter,  and  the  cuticle, 
or  skin,  that  covers  all. 

LEGUME.— A  pod  ;  applied  to  the  fruit  of  legu- 
minous plants,  such  as  the  pea,  &c. 

LIGNEOUS.— Plants  whose  stems  become  gra- 
dually less  herbaceous,  and  of  a  woody 
texture,  and  which  survive  more  than 
three  years  the  annual  fall  of  the  leaf, 
or  which  retain  their  leaves  in  winter  as 
well  as  summer. 

LINEAR. — Narrow,  with  parallel  sides,  as  in  most 
grasses. 

LUNATE.— Crescent-shaped,  like  a  half-moon. 

LYRATE.— Lyre-shaped :  cut  into  many  trans- 

x       verse  segments,   becoming   larger  towards 

the  extremity  of  the  leaf,  which  is  rounded. 

LABIATE. — Resembling  lips. 
MARESCENT. — Withering. 


204  GLOSSARY. 

MEMBRANOUS. — In  texture  like  a  membrane,  soft 
and  supple. 

MULTIFID. — Cut  into  three,  four,  five,  or  more, 
narrow  divisions. 

MUCRONATE. — Sharply  pointed. 

MURICATED. — Covered  with  short  sharp  points. 

NECTARY. — Honey  cup. 

NATANT. — Floating. 

NERVES — Parallel  veins  on  leaves. 

NUTANT. — Nodding. 

OVAL. — Having  the  figure  of  an  ellipse. 

OVARY. — The  portion  of  the  pistil  which  contains 
the  ovules  or  germs  of  seeds. 

OVATE. — Of  the  shape  of  an  egg  cut  lengthwise. 

OBOVATE. — Ovate  reversed. 

PALEACEOUS. — Chaffy. 

PALMATED. — Cut  into  oblong  segments,  so  as  to 
resemble  a  hand. 

PANDURIFORM. — Fiddle-shaped ;  oblong,  broad  at 
the  extremities,  and  contracted  in  the  centre. 

PANICLE. — A  bunch  of  flowers,  composed  of  nu- 
merous branches  of  different  lengths,  each 
bearing  a  flower. 

PECTINATE. — Like  the  teeth  of  a  comb. 

PELTATE. — Stalk  fastened  in  the  middle. 

PERIANTH. — An  inner  calyx,  immediately  sur- 
rounding the  flower. 

^ 


GLOSSARY. 


205 


PAPPUS. — The  down  of  seed,  to  waft  it  away. 

PEDICEL. — The  footstalk  which  supports  a  single 
flower. 

PEDUNCLE. — The  common  flowerstalk,  developed 
in  the  axil  of  a  non-radical  leaf,  or  leaf  which 
is  borne  on  the  stem  and  not  on  the  root. 

PERICARP. — The  vessel  which  contains  the  seed. 

PERSISTENT. — Term  applied  to  parts  of  plants 
which  remain,  while  contiguous  parts  decay. 

PETIOLATE. — Term  applied  to  leaves  supported 
on  footstalks. 

PETIOLE. — The  footstalk  of  a  leaf. 

PINNAE. — The  segments  of  a  pinnated  leaf. 

PINNATE. — Term  applied  to  a  leaf  when  cut  into 
many  parallel  segments,  like  the  rose. 

PLICATE. — Folded  like  a  fan,  or  plaited. 

POME. — A  pulpy  fruit,  containing  a  capsule,  as 
the  apple  and  pear. 

PROCUMBENT. — Branches  spreading  on  the  sur- 
face of  the  ground  if  not  artificially  raised 
and  supported. 

PUBESCENT. — Covered  with  soft  silky  hairs. 

PUNGENT. — Stinging  or  pricking. 

PREMORSE. — Abruptly  bitten  off. 

PERFOLIATE. — Stalk  running  through  the  leaf. 

PAPILIONACEOUS. — Butterfly-shaped. 


206  GLOSSARY. 

QUADRANGULAR. — Having    four    corners    or 

angles. 
QUATERNATE. — Four  together. 

RACEMES. — When  flowers  are  arranged  round 
a  filiform  simple  axis,  each  particular 

flower  being  stalked,  they  are  said  to  be  in 

racemes. 

RADIANT,  or  RADIATE. — A  flower  is  said  to  be 
radiant  when,  in  a  cluster  of  florets,  those 

of  the  circumference,  or  ray,  are  long  and 

spreading,  and  unlike  those  of  the  disk. 

RADICAL. — A  term  applied  to  leaves  proceeding 
immediately  from  the  root,  as  in  the  daisy. 

RECURVED. — Folded  backward. 

RETICULATED. — Having  the  appearance  of  net 
work. 

RETUSE. — Abruptly  blunt  at  the  end. 

RUGOSE. — Rough,  or  coarsely  wrinkled. 

RUNG  i  NATE. — Having  large  teeth  pointed  back- 
ward, as  in  the  Dandelion. 

SAGITTATE. — Shaped  like  an  arrow-head  ; 
triangular,  very  much  hollowed  out  at  the 
base. 


GLOSSARY.  207 

SCABROUS. — Rough  to  the  touch,  opposed  to 
glabrous. 

SCALES. — Any  small  developments  resembling 
miuute  leaves  ;  also,  the  leaves  of  the  in- 
volucrum  of  compound  flowers. 

SCAPE. — A  stem  rising  from  the  root,  and  bear- 
ing nothing  but  flowers,  like  the  tulip. 

SEGMENTS. — Portions  of  anything. 

SERICEOUS. — Having  a  surface  like  that  of  vel- 
vet to  the  touch. 

SERRATED. — Edged  with  sharp  teeth,  like  those 
of  a  saw. 

SESSILE. — Said  of  leaves  seated  on  the  stem, 
without  footstalks. 

SET  ACEous.--Bea  ring  some  resemblance  to  the 
form  of  a  bristle. 

SINUATE. — Undulating,  or  wavy. 

SPADIX. — Flower  stalk  developed  in  a  spatha, 
or  sheath. 

SPATHA. — A  simple  floral  leaf,  enclosing  the 
whole  inflorescence. 

SPATULATE. — Having  the  form  of  a  spatula ;  a 
kind  of  knife,  almost  spoon-shaped,  but  flat. 

SPIKE. — Flowers  so  called,  seated  upon  a 
stalk,  as  wheat. 

SECUND. — Hanging  one  way. 


208  GLOSSARY. 

SPINOUS. — Pull  of  prickles.    .. 

STIPE. — The  stem  of  a  fern  or  fungus. 

STIPUL.E. — Two  small  leaves,  placed  usually  at 
the  base  of  the  floral  leaf,  and  on  opposite 
sides  of  the  branch. 

STRIDE. — Small  streaks,  channels  or  furrows. 

STRIATED. — When  the  channels  in  leaves  are 
perceptible  to  the  touch,  but  invisible  to  the 
eye. 

SUBULATE. — Very  narrow  at  the  base,  and  in- 
sensibly verging  to  a  point  at  the  summit, 
as  the  juniper  leaf. 

SUPRA-DECOMPOUND. — Doubly  decompounded. 

TENDRIL. — The  thread-like  appendage  to  climb- 
ing plants,  by  which  they  support  them 
selves  and  twine  around  other  objects. 

TERMINAL. — Ending,  or  at  the  top. 

TERNATE. — Consisting  of  three  leaflets. 

THYRSE. — A  kind  of  dense  panicle,  like  that  of 
the  lilac. 

TOMENTOSE. — Downy,  covered  with  fine  mat- 
ted hair. 

TOOTHED. — Cut  so  as  to  resemble  teeth. 

TRIFID. — Cut  into  three. 

TRUNCATE. — Having  the  end  abruptly  cut  off. 

TRIFINNATE. — Triple  rows  of  leaflets. 


GLOSSARY.  209 

TUMID. — Swelling. 

THORN. — An  imperfect  branch. 

TUBEROUS. — Knobbed. 

UMBELS. — The  round  tuft  of  flowers  produced 

by  the  carrot,  &c. 
UNARMED. — Opposed    to   spinous ;     free    from 

prickles. 

UNGUIS.- — A  claw. 
UNILATERAL. — When  the  leaves  are  all  turned 

one  way,  and  are  all  on  one  side. 
URCEOLATE. — Pitcher-shaped. 
VOLVA. — Wrapper  ;  belonging  to  mushrooms. 
VENTRICOSE. — Inflated. 

VERRUCOSE. — Warty,  covered  with  little  knobs. 
VILLOUS. — Closely  covered  with  long  loose  hairs. 

so  as  almost  to  hide  the  surface. 
VISCID. — Adhesive,  clammy. 
WHORLS. — Where  any  parts  are  set  round  an 

axis  in  the  same  plane. 


21  ()  ILLUSTRATIONS. 

" 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


ANALYSIS  OF  THE  CA.KNAT1ON  PINK. 
tt 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

COTYLEDONS  OF  THE  BEAN,  WITH  ITS  GERMINATION. 

I 


•IK>ff3< 


FIG.  \.  FIG.  2. 

i       Fig.  1.— a  a  shows  the  cotyledons  or  cavities  for  the  storing  of  food  for  the  support  of 
the  embryo,  b  and  e.   "  i 

Fig.  2. — Embryo  germinating:  a  running  into  the  ground  to  become  a  root;  6  running  up 
to  form  a  stem;,c  tl»e  tnbe  which  supplies  nutriment  from  the  cotyledons  until  both  roots 
and  leaves  are  ready  to  work. 


THE  SEXUAL  SYSTEM,  AS  FOUND  IN  THE  WORKS  OF  L1NNJEUS. 

*   m 

CLASSES. 


n 


in. 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


VII. 


X. 


f 


XL 


IX. 


XII. 


XIIL  XIV.  XV. 

.  -; 

»" 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAPILIONACEOUS 


214 


ILLUSTUATiONS. 


SP1K2  TUBE  NECTARY  OF  NASTURTIUM.  SABIATE. 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


215 


HEAD.  PERIANTH. 


NARCISSUS.  \VHORT,. 


216 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


AXILLARY. 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


217 


TOOTHED.  ACUMINATE. 


PAPPUS. 

19 


218 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


CAMPANULATE.  PERSONATE.  SALVER-SHAPED. 


CLIMBING  STEM. 


CREEPING  ROOT. 


TUBEROUS  ROOT. 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


219 


PERFOLIATK.  CO.VNATUM.  CLASPING. 


A  NCEPS.  VOLVA. 


INFUNDIBUMFORM13 


CREEPING  STfcM 


220 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


POUCH. 


SQUARE 


TRIANGULAR.  CRENATED.  RHOMBOID.  TKIA.NGULAK 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


221 


FIBROUS  ROOT 


SPINDLE  ROOT.  BUDS. 


UlllilCCLAK. 


IMURICATED. 


LYRATE. 


222 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


STIPULE.  ARROW-SHAPED. 


* 


SERRATED.  BINATK 


ILLUSTRATIONS.  223 


KtDNEYSHAPKD.  TROWEL-SHAPED.  MAPLK  SEED. 


TWINING  STEM. 


PECTINATE.  LIOV  TOOTHED.  BIPINNATI.* 


224 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


i:r  RIGHT. 


LINEAR.  WEDGE-SHAPED.  PELTATE.  HASTATE. 


SPATULATE. 


'       P 

PREMORSE  ROOT. 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


225 


ACULEUS, 


TR1PINNATK 


ENDOGKN. 

20 


THORN. 


ACEROSE    LEAF. 


226 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


GKRAN1UM  SEED.  HASTATE. 


FASCICLES. 


LULBOUS  ROOT. 


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